Patch agricultural workers

The patch method (although not as popular today) and the use of whole-body dosimeters are both reasonable methods for determining dermal deposition on the skin of agricultural workers during application of pesticides or when they re-enter treated fields. 

Frullania sensitivity was reported in fruit pickers in Portugal [183], and lichens caused contact dermatitis in rural agricultural workers [184], including one who cut trees to make posts for a vineyard. Patch testing showed him to be allergic to Frullania as well as lichens [185]. Several different species were identified as causative in a man who broke out after cutting wood in his orchard... 

Copper sulfate is a fungicide and algicide. List et al. reported positive patch-test reactions to 1% copper sulfate in agricultural workers [20]. Additional normal controls and use of provocative tests should help clarify whether these responses are irritant or allergic. 

Folpet is a protective fungicide used as a 50% wettable powder and in various dusts on fruits, berries, vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals. Six agricultural workers had positive patch-test reactions to 0.1% folpet but irritant reactions were seen in some controls [20]. 

Peluso et al. reported a case of 2-month history of finger and hand eczema in a female agricultural worker, which improved when she stopped work. Patch testings gave positive results to carbamate-mix 1% petrolatum, z5-dithiocarbamate (maneb) and thiophthalimide (captan 0.1% petrolatum, captafol 0.1% petrolatum and folpet 0.1% petrolatum) at 2 days and 3 days (+/++) [119]. 

Piraccini et al. reported a case of allergic contact dermatitis from pesticide maneb in an agricultural worker with a 7-year history of recurrent dermatitis of the face and arms each summer. Patch testing was positive to maneb 1% petrolatum (D2+/D3++). The patient had no recurrence of dermatitis the following summer, after discontinuing maneb exposure [120]. 

Garcia-Perez A, Garcia-Bravo B, Beneit JV (1984) Standard patch tests in agricultural workers. Contact Dermatitis 10 151-153 Gauchia R, Rodriguez-Serna M, Silvestre JF, Linana JJ, Aliaga A... 

Pyrethroids are neurotoxic synthetic compounds used as insecticides. Cypermethrin and fenvalerate have been reported as causing positive allergic patch tests, but only fenvalerate was relevant in an agricultural worker. 

Based on the patch method to assess worker or re-entry exposure, researchers have developed a database, which may be used to estimate exposure. Each patch from an individual in a study can be entered into the database separately, the residue data from patches from various body areas can be summed to yield a whole-body exposure number, and the data may be sorted as to worker tasks, equipment used, protective clothing worn, formulation types and other parameters. This is the basis for the currently used Pesticide Handlers Data Base (PHED), which was developed through a joint effort in the 1980s of CropLife America [formerly known as American Crop Protection Association (ACPA) and National Agricultural Chemicals Association (NACA)], the Environmental Protection Agency (ERA) and Health Canada. " The PHED is discussed in detail in another article in this book. 

Nishioka K, Kozuka T, Tashiro M (1970) Agricultural miticide (BPPS) dermatitis. Skin Res 12 15 O Malley M, Rodriguez P, Maibach HI (1995) Pesticide patch testing California nursery workers and controls. Contact Dermatitis 32 61-62... 

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