Pesticides protective clothing

Training m the Use of Pesticides Protective Clothing for Use with Pesticides Agricultural pesticides... 

Easter, E.P. and H.N. Nigg (1992). Pesticide Protective Clothing, Rev. Environ. Contam. Toxicol, 129, 1-16. 

Exposure to pestieides poses a major hazard for agricultural workers. As a subset of chemical protective clothing, pesticide protective clothing has received much research attention. The effectiveness of the protective clothing is dependant on fabric properties, pesticide characteristics and the combination of both. 

Archibald BA, Solomon KR, Stephenson GR. 1994a. Ruorescent tracer and pesticide penetration through selected protective clothing. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 53(4) 479-485. 

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. 

Determination of the efficiency for pesticide exposure reduction with protective clothing a field study using biological monitoring... 

Chester, G., Loftus, N.J., Woollen, B.H., and Anema, B.P. (1990b) The effectiveness of protective clothing in reducing dermal exposure to, and absorption of, the herbicide fluazifop-P-butyl by mixer-loader-applicators using tractor sprayers, in Book of Abstracts, Seventh International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry, Vol. Ill, Freshe, H. and Kesseler-Smith, E., Eds., Conway, Hamburg. 

Fenske, R.A. (1988) Comparative assessment of protective clothing performance by measurement of dermal exposure during pesticide applications, Appl. Ind. Hygiene, 3 207-213. 

Methner, M.M. and Fenske, R.A. (1994) Pesticide exposure during greenhouse applications. Part II. Chemical permeation through protective clothing in contact with treated foliage, Appl. Occup. Environ. Hygiene, 9 567-574. 

Oakland, B.G., Dodd, R.B., Schabacker, D.J., and Clegg, L.X. (1992a) Preliminary evaluation of nonwoven chemically treated barrier fabrics for field testing of protective clothing for agricultural workers exposed to pesticides, Bull. Environ. 

Currently, there is no information on performance testing of chemical protective clothing against carbamate nerve agents. Evaluation of fabrics used to prevent exposure to carbamate pesticides may provide guidance on selection of appropriate protective clothing. 

Two fatal cases of occupational exposure to 1,2-dibromoethane were reported by Letz et al. (1984). A worker collapsed shortly after entering a pesticide storage tank containing residues of 1,2-dibromoethane he remained in the tank for 45 minutes. A supervisor attempting to rescue the worker also collapsed and was exposed for 20-30 minutes prior to rescue. Both men died 12 and 64 hours after collapse, respectively. The primary route of exposure was postulated to be dermal, with inhalation also playing a potentially important role. Neither worker had been wearing protective clothing or respirators. 

The use of protective clothing, the observation of operational and regulatory guidelines and the observation of good work habits contribute to safe pesticide application. Access to regular trained medical advice and examination is also important. 

The average percent penetration of ethion in each of the pesticide workers during phases 1 and 2 combined and phase 3 (untreated and treated clothing) are shown in Table VIII The mean percent penetration of ethion from phases 1 and 2 combined was 27.6 compared to 4 (untreated) and 3.6 (treated) in phase 3 when protective clothing was worn. 

Certain workers such as applicators and those preparing tank mixes should wear appropriate protection clothing, gloves, face masks, and so forth. The development of closed systems for mixing pesticides should help protect mixers and loaders of pesticides from exposure. 

Measurements were made of the concentration of pesticide in the breathing zone of the workers, on patches attached to the workers clothing, and in the urine of crew members. In the 2,4-D tests, comparisons were made between amounts found under normal spray operations and amounts found when techniques for limiting exposure were used including special instructions and the use of protective clothing consisting of hat, boots, gloves, and Tyvek coveralls. 

Armour, M.A. et al., Decontamination of spills and residues of pesticides and protective clothing worn during their handling, Proceedings of the Pacific Basin Conference on Hazardous Waste Research, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, 1996, 44. 

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