Operator exposure general

Results concerning chemical resistance relate to short immersions at various temperatures that are not representative of long-term exposures. Moreover, most conditions are unknown and some results appear conflicting. The following estimations must be treated with particular caution. These general indications should be verified by consultation with the producer and by tests under operating conditions. General chemical properties are subject to the compatibility of the fillers and reinforcements with the ambient conditions. K the fillers are well adapted, the chemical properties are the same for filled and neat polymers. 

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATOR EXPOSURE MODELLING 175 PHED PESTICIDE HANDLERS EXPOSURE DATABASE 176 General Description 176 Qnality of Data 177 Formnlations and Use Scenarios 177 Use in Risk Assessment 178 Exposnre Rednction Measures 178 Model Updates 179 Comments on the Model 179 GERMAN MODEL 180 General Description 180 Formulations and Use Scenarios 181 Use in Risk Assessment 182 Exposure Reduction Measures 182 Model Updates 182 Comments on the Model 183... 

UK-POEM UK PREDICTIVE OPERATOR EXPOSURE MODEL General Description 183 Formulations and Use Scenarios 183 Use in Risk Assessment 184 Exposure Reduction Measures 186 Model Updates 186 Comments on the Model 186 DUTCH MODEL 187 General Description 187 Formulations and Use Scenarios 187 Use in Risk Assessment 188 Exposure Reduction Measures 189 Model Updates 189 Comments on the Model 189 EUROPOEM DATABASE 189 General Description 189 Formulations and Use Scenarios 190 Use in Risk Assessment 192 Exposure Reduction Measures 194 Model Updates 194 Comments on the Model 194... 

The application of pesticides is widespread in agriculture and elsewhere, and the concomitant risks depend on their toxicity, and duration and frequency, as well as the level of exposure (Henderson et al., 1993 Krieger and Ross, 1993). Exposure may be incidental or almost continuous. This is true not only for workers (occupational exposure), but also for the general public and people who may be considered as bystanders, who are not involved in the actual occupational activities with pesticides, but are close enough to get exposed. In this present chapter, only operator exposure will be discussed because agricultural re-entry modelling is discussed in Chapter 2 and residential post-application exposure modelling in Chapter 6 of this book. 

In order to assess risk to individuals following dermal exposure to a pesticide, dermal absorption data are often required to convert dermal deposition data to estimates of systemic exposure. These estimates of systemic exposure are then compared with the No Observed Adverse Effect Levels (NOAELs) from oral toxicity studies or limit values (for instance. Acceptable Operator Exposure Levels (AOELs)) derived from these oral data (Bos et at., 1998 Rennen et al 1999). As noted in the introduction, oral studies are generally used because the toxicology database is typically focused on the oral route of exposure. 

As a single-pot processor is often used for highly potent products, or more generally for contained production, it is important that also cleaning of the machine can be executed in a contained, automated fashion to eliminate the risk of operator exposure to the active product. 

Pan and cascade burners are generally more limited ia flexibiHty and are useful only where low sulfur dioxide concentrations are desired. Gases from sulfur burners also contain small amounts of sulfur trioxide, hence the moisture content of the air used can be important ia achieving a corrosion-free operation. Continuous operation at temperatures above the condensation poiat of the product gases is advisable where exposure to steel (qv) surfaces is iavolved. Pressure atomiziag-spray burners, which are particularly suitable when high capacities are needed, are offered by the designers of sulfuric acid plants. 

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