SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1988
STP26327S

Engineering Controls and Protective Clothing in the Reduction of Pesticide Exposure to Tractor Drivers

Source

Reduction of exposure received during occupational use of pesticides is one of the principal strategies available to the Environmental Protection Agency in reducing risk. The Exposure Assessment Branch of the Office of Pesticide Programs has evaluated applicator exposure studies in which pesticides were applied by ground boom or airblast spray methods. The dermal exposure to the applicator in an enclosed tractor cab during ground boom application was estimated to be one-sixth the exposure to the applicator conducting similar operations with an open tractor cab. During airblast applications, exposure to applicators in enclosed vehicles was more than thirtyfold less than to airblast applicators in open vehicles. At present, the major emphasis in reducing applicator exposure to pesticides has been to require the use of protective clothing. Surveys of applicators indicate that they frequently do not use the required protective equipment. The use of engineering controls such as enclosed vehicles is another risk-reduction strategy available to the Agency. This paper reviews the effects on exposure by tractor-cab design and the advantages and disadvantages of protective clothing and engineering controls in reducing total pesticide applicator exposure.

Author Information

Lunchick, C
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, Hazard Evaluation Division (TS-769C), Exposure Assessment Branch, Washington, DC
Nielsen, AP
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, Hazard Evaluation Division (TS-769C), Exposure Assessment Branch, Washington, DC
Reinert, JC
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, Hazard Evaluation Division (TS-769C), Exposure Assessment Branch, Washington, DC
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Details
Developed by Committee: F23
Pages: 605–610
DOI: 10.1520/STP26327S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5058-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1167-7