Inner whole-body dosimeters

Selection of the type of whole-body dosimeter is important. Inner whole-body dosimeters are usually white, 100% cotton, long underwear purchased from a variety of clothing outlets and stores. One- or two-piece inner whole-body dosimeters are common. Outer whole-body dosimeters can range from hand-made cotton coveralls to shirts and pants bought directly off the shelf at local retail stores. Outer whole-body dosimeters can also be purchased from wholesale clothing outlets. Outer whole-body dosimeters may be any color and may also be 100% cotton or mixed materials, depending on the purpose for which the outer whole-body dosimeter is to be used. For example, one may want to use a coverall as an outer whole-body dosimeter. This would be acceptable even if the coverall were not white and not 100% cotton provided that the fabric did not contain interfering analytical components. 

Both inner and outer whole-body dosimeters are common tools to measure successfully dermal exposure to pesticide workers and are employed in a variety of ways in mixer-loader/applicator or re-entry studies. 

Pre-exposure proeessing and preparation of the inner and outer whole-body dosimeters for use in the field should be eonsidered. The analytieal laboratory should determine if the fabric of the dosimeter of choice contains any analytical interference, which may be a problem in subsequent analysis of the fabric. If such analytical interferences are present in the fabric of the dosimeter, they may be reduced by pre-washing the dosimeter material prior to use in the field. The dosimeter is usually pre-washed (sometimes more than once) and rinsed several times prior to thorough drying. The washing detergent of choice should be as free as possible from additive brighteners and other chemicals, which may cause analytical interferences. 

CA, outer whole-body dosimeter = coveralls dosimeters (arms, legs, torso) FL and AZ (short sleeve with arm band) inner dosimeter = t-shirt and brief head patch, face and neck... 

Penetration of chlorpyrifos through the outer whole-body dosimeter to the inner-body dosimeter... 

In order to determine the dermal exposure of volunteers to chlorpyrifos, the penetration of chlorpyrifos through the outer whole-body dosimeter (coveralls) to the inner body dosimeter (t-shirt and briefs) was measured. The penetration factor was calculated for each volunteer in the study from the experimental data by dividing the amount of chlorpyrifos on the t-shirt and brief sample by the amount of chlorpyrifos on the torso section of the coveralls. This method of calculation assumes that the surface area of the torso section of the coveralls is nearly the same as the surface area of the t-shirt and briefs worn directly under the torso section of the coveralls. A mean penetration factor for each worker type was calculated by averaging all the worker volunteer... 

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