Determination of operator exposure levels to insecticide during bait applications in olive trees: study of coverall performance and duration of application.

In this study the operator exposure levels during bait applications of an insecticide in olive groves were determined using a whole body dosimetry method for dermal exposure. The study design allowed the roles of application task duration and coverall type to be evaluated as factors influencing operator exposure. Twenty applications were carried out with knapsack sprayers in the Tanagra region of Viotia, Greece, ten of which were for a 1h and ten for a 3h duration. An in-house GC-NPD analytical method was developed and validated for the determination of malathion, the active substance (a.s.) of the insecticide formulation used in field trials. The mean recovery of field-fortified samples was 84% (%RSD=3.0). Field trial results generally indicated lower operator exposure levels than indicated by the most relevant operator exposure predictive model. Residues of malathion on internal dosimeters were compared to those measured on the respective outer coveralls (potential dermal exposure) to evaluate the protective factor of each one of the two coverall types used. Both coverall types provided satisfactory levels of protection and can be considered as suitable protection for the conditions of the application scenario studied. Furthermore, the results indicated that there is not a strong correlation between exposure levels and duration of application.

Dermal exposure of pesticide applicators as a measure of coverall performance under field conditions.

In this study, the field performance of two coverall designs used by pesticide applicators was determined. Two coverall types were selected based on data from previously conducted comfort testing under field conditions in southern Europe. Dermal exposure was measured during 22 applications conducted with 11 operators using similar hand-held spray guns in greenhouse pepper crops in the Ierapetra region of Crete, Greece. One of the coverall designs studied was made from a cotton/polyester material treated with a water-repellent Resist Spills(R) finish, which was compared in the field study to a coverall of similar design, but using a woven, untreated cotton material. An in-house analytical method was developed and validated for determining residues of the active substance (a.s.) malathion on the dosimeters. The derived levels of dermal exposure were used as a measure of the protection provided by the two types of coveralls. In addition, by comparing the total amount of the a.s. recovered from outer and inner dosimeters (potential dermal exposure = 238.8 mg kg(-1) a.s. for the cotton coverall and 160.44 mg kg(-1) a.s. for the Resist Spills coverall), a value could be determined for the degree of coverall penetration. The mean penetration (milligrams per kilogram a.s.) of the outer coveralls, calculated as a percentage of the total contamination, was 0.4% for the water-repellent coverall and 2.3% for the cotton coverall. The mean recovery from the laboratory and field-fortified samples was >91 and 74%, respectively and used as the main criterion for quality control of the analytical data. Under the field trial conditions evaluated, both the coverall designs gave better protection than the default values used in the most relevant predictive exposure model. Therefore, they could be considered as appropriate tools of personal protection when both comfort and field performance is taken into account under the specific application scenario.

Assessment of potential (inhalation and dermal) and actual exposure to acetamiprid by greenhouse applicators using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

New analytical methods based on liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have been developed and validated for assessing the exposure of greenhouse workers to acetamiprid. Both ambient (potential inhalation and dermal exposure) and internal dose (biological monitoring of urine samples) measurements were carried out. Potential inhalation exposure was assessed using Chromosorb 102 cartridges connected to air personal samplers. Potential dermal exposure was estimated by using whole body dosimetry. The measurement of actual exposure was done by analyzing the parent compound in urine samples of the applicators, after a solid-phase extraction (SPE) step. The methods showed a good accuracy (72-92%), precision (2-13%) and lower limits (few microg l(-1)). The validated approaches have been applied to assess potential and actual exposure of agricultural workers spraying acetamiprid in greenhouses. The results shown the need to wear personal protective equipment (suits) in order to reduce the absorbed dose of acetamiprid.

Screening method for pesticides in air by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

A multiresidue method for determining more than 70 pesticides in air has been validated using a single injection with gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). The method validation considered both stages of sampling and analysis. The sampling method, based on active sampling using sorption in sorbent cartidges, was validated by generating standard atmospheres. Performance parameters of the method were evaluated, with a reduction in the limits of quantification by injecting a higher volume of sample extract, and increase of selectivity by the use of MS/MS detection mode. The method was based on solid-phase extraction, which permits a degree of automation. The best adsorbents were found to be Chromosorb 106 and Tenax TA. The retention capacity of these sampling sorbents allows up to 1440 L of air to be sampled without any breakthrough for most of the compounds. Data were generated for assessing the potential exposure of bystanders. The application of the method to the analysis of the air in urban locations near agricultural areas showed that pesticides were present in most of the samples.

Determination of potential dermal and inhalation operator exposure to malathion in greenhouses with the whole body dosimetry method.

One of the steps during the authorization process of plant protection products (PPP) in the European Union is to evaluate the safety of the operator. For this purpose, information on the probable levels of operator exposure during the proposed uses of the PPP is required. These levels can be estimated by using existing mathematical models or from field study data. However, the existing models have several shortcomings, including the lack of data for operator exposure levels during spray applications by hand lance, especially in greenhouses. The present study monitored the potential dermal and inhalation operator exposure from hand-held lance applications of malathion on greenhouse tomatoes at low and high spraying pressures. The methodology for monitoring potential exposure was based on the whole body dosimetry method. Inhalation exposure was monitored using personal air pumps and XAD-2 sampling tubes. For the monitoring of hand exposure, cotton gloves were used in two trials and rubber gloves in another three. The total volumes of spray solution contaminating the body of the operator were 25.37 and 35.83 ml/h, corresponding to 0.05 and 0.07% of the applied spray solution, respectively, in the case of low pressure knapsack applications and from 160.76 to 283.45 ml/h, corresponding to 0.09-0.19% of the spray solution applied, in the case of hand lance applications with tractor-generated high pressure. Counts on gloves depended on the absorbance/repellency of the glove material. The potential inhalation exposures were estimated at 0.07 and 0.09 ml/h in the case of low pressure knapsack applications, based on a ventilation rate of 25 l/min. Both potential dermal operator exposure (excluding hands) and potential inhalation exposure were increased by a factor of approximately 7 when the application pressure was increased from 3 to 18 bar in greenhouse trials with a tractor-assisted hand lance, the rest of the application conditions being very similar.

Consumers' perspectives on helpful and hindering factors in mental health treatment.

We summarize the four papers in this issue by consumers evaluating their mental health treatment, focusing on aspects of their treatment that they collectively found helpful and hindering. These factors include the context of treatment, the therapy relationship, interventions used and issues addressed, helpful experiences outside the mental health system, and hindering views of mental illness and treatment. We then present comments by two clients in outpatient therapy on the same topic. Research on clients' perceptions of their outpatient psychotherapy is discussed in reference to these six consumer perspectives, and future directions for therapists and researchers are suggested.

Potential operator exposure to procymidone in greenhouses.

Recent legislation in the European Union requires regulators of member states to carry out risk assessments using data for actual or potential operator exposure, or estimates of exposure from models. However, the existing models have few datasets from studies carried out on greenhouse or indoor crops, particularly in southern Europe. In this study potential dermal and inhalatory exposures were measured in two trials in Italian greenhouses. The total potential dermal operator exposure of the applicator, measured with a whole-body passive dosimetry method, was 15.4 and 37.1 mL/h of the diluted pesticide mixture. The majority of the contamination was on the hands and on the lower part of the coverall. Approximately 0. 003% of the active ingredient (ai) applied to the crop area contaminated the coverall worn by the operator. The potential dermal exposure during the mixing and loading phase accounted for 6-8% of the total potential dermal exposure during the whole process. Inhalation exposure accounted for only 0.05-0.07% of the total potential operator exposure. Model predictions of the potential operator exposure using a modified version of the German model overestimate the mixing-loading exposure while underestimating the application exposure. These data are evidence that the estimation coefficient set for hand-held application to ornamental and horticultural crops may be inadequate for the agronomic conditions of southern Europe.

Predictors of response to cognitive-behavioral group therapy for social phobia.

Response to cognitive-behavioral group therapy for social phobia was assessed at posttest and 6-month follow-up in a sample of 62 clients (41 generalized subtype, 21 nongeneralized). Predictors assessed were depression, expectancy, personality disorder traits, clinician-rated breadth and severity of impairment, and frequency of negative thoughts during social interactions. Outcome measures included self-report questionnaires and behavioral tests of dyadic interaction and a public speech. Although no predictor was related to outcome across all domains of measurement, higher depression, more avoidant personality traits, and lower treatment expectancy were each related to poorer treatment response on one or more outcome criteria. Cognitive change was consistently associated with change on self-report symptom measures, but, contrary to expectation, lower rates of negative thinking at posttest did not predict better maintenance of treatment gains at follow-up.

Self-focused attention in the treatment of social phobia.

For those with social phobia self-focused attention has been linked with impairment in social performance increased social anxiety, and a higher frequency of self-critical thoughts during social situations. The purpose of this investigation was to assess correlates of changes in situational self-focus over the course of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT). Focus of attention was assessed after in-session role-plays and after in vivo homework assignments during group CBT for social phobia. Analyses revealed a significant decrease in self-focused attention over time; focus on events and stimuli outside of the self remained unchanged. Treatment gains on anxiety during dyadic interactions, on negative self-judgments, and on personalized social fears were related to reduction in self-focused attention. Those with public speaking phobias showed a strong relationship between decreased self-focus and speech anxiety. These findings suggest that changes in self-focused attention during the course of CBT are related to important therapeutic gains Specific interventions aimed at decreasing self-focus may be a useful treatment strategy.

Questionnaire methods of cognitive self-statement assessment.

Questionnaire methods can be used to assess thoughts, which are cognitive products often referred to as self-statements, automatic thoughts, or internal dialogue. This review examines the nature of endorsement measures of self-statements and considers their advantages and disadvantages as well as scoring issues. A psychometric evaluation of self-statement questionnaires discusses the issues of reliability, content validity and scale development, criterion validity, construct validity, and clinical utility. Descriptions of and psychometric findings for over 2 dozen measures are summarized, including measures for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, pain, and applications with children and adolescents, and conclusions and future directions are suggested.

Validity issues in self-statement measures of social phobia and social anxiety.

Measures to assess internal dialogue or self-statements in socially phobic or anxious clients are now frequently used in clinical and research settings. Such cognitive assessment techniques are rarely considered, however, with regard to psychometric criteria. This article reviews the literature on self-statement assessment of social phobia and social anxiety from the perspective of content, criterion, convergent and discriminant validity. In general, most measures have shown good evidence of validity. Different scoring systems in addition to thought valence appear worthwhile, and multiple measures and assessment occasions should be considered.

Hyperactive children and peer interaction: knowledge and performance of social skills.

This study investigated hyperactive children's peer relations using the framework of social skills theory. Subjects' (15 hyperactive and 15 control boys aged 7 through 11) knowledge of socially appropriate behavior was assessed using the Social Knowledge Interview (Geraci & Asher, 1980). Additionally, performance of social skills with peers was rated by independent judges during free play, a cooperative puzzle task, and a persuasion task. Peers also rated subjects' desirability as partners for work, play, and friendship. Analyses showed that hyperactive subjects had deficits in knowledge of how to maintain relationships and handle interpersonal conflict, and demonstrated more negative behavior in the cooperative puzzle task than did controls. Hyperactive subjects also were rated by judges as less likely to achieve academic success than controls and were rated by peers as less desirable potential work partners in school. Significant correlations between social knowledge and performance with peers were found. It was concluded that hyperactive boys exhibit deficits both in their social knowledge and in their performance of socially skilled behavior.

Training in social and interpersonal problem-solving skills for mildly and moderately mentally retarded adults.

The effectiveness of social-skills training, interpersonal problem-solving training, and a combination of the two in improving the social competence of 33 moderately and mildly mentally retarded adults was evaluated. Problem situations used in the training programs and in the key assessment measures were empirically derived. Results demonstrated that treated subjects improved on role-play tests of social skills and that moderately retarded treated subjects improved relative to moderately retarded controls on the problem-solving measure. Findings also indicated that subjects receiving the interpersonal problem-solving training component improved on ratings of personal-social responsibility. Results concerning generalization of treatment gains, however, indicated that future investigators should incorporate generalization strategies into their treatment programs.