Reduction of pesticide exposure with protective clothing for applicators and mixers.

Systemic pesticide illness in agricultural workers may result from excessive dermal exposure to pesticides. Workers who apply and mix pesticides (applicators and mixers) are not at special risk. Both acute and chronic exposures can occur from spillage or by environmental contamination of clothing. Two exposure assessment studies were conducted of Central Florida citrus grove workers who applied ethion daily. Measuring the percentage of penetration of ethion through clothing and measuring the daily urinary excretion of diethyl phosphate (DEP) were the techniques used to assess the protection afforded by changing daily to freshly laundered 100% cotton coveralls. Coveralls provided significantly greater protection than did regular clothing and the use of respirators.

Evaluation pf methodology for determining 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB) in ambient air.

EDB (ethylene dibromide) is of regulatory interest because it has cancer inducing properties and is a causative agent of aspermia. Methodology used in determining the extent of exposure of workers to EDB in a citrus fumigation facility was evaluated. The purpose of this effort was to develop and/or evaluate the methodology. A number of solid adsorbents were evaluated for trapping EDB. Charcoal was found to be the most efficient for this application. The influence of a number of factors, e.g., humidity, biphenyl concentration and solvents, on trapping and elution efficiency was determined. The level of sensitivity attained in these studies exceeds that necessary to monitor the proposed standard of a maximum of 1 mg/m3 for a 15 min occupational exposure.

Field application of evaluated methodology for determining 1,2-dibromoethane, EDB, in ambient air.

EDB (ethylene dibromide) is of regulatory interest because it has cancer inducing properties and is a causative agent of aspermia. Previously evaluated methodology was used to determine the extent of exposure of workers to EDB in citrus fumigation stations and a warehouse used as a holding site before shipment. The purpose of this effort was to carry out environmental sampling, and to determine the exposure level of workers and related administrative personnel at two citrus fumigation centers and at a warehouse.

Development and application of methodology for determining 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) in ambient air.

A method previously described by Mann et al. for the determination of hexachlorobenzene in air was modified to detect DBCP in air at the level of 0.02 ppb (by volume). The method utilizes Chromosorb 101 as a trapping medium with subsequent analysis of the eluted DBCP by electron capture--gas chromatography. The procedure was tested using air flows of 1 1/min to 5 1/min for sampling periods of 30 min to 3 hr. Recoveries of greater than 90% wer obtained for DBCP levels ranging from 0.07 ppb to 20 ppm. More than 90% of the DBCP stored on Chromosorb 101 at ambient temperature for one month was recovered. A one-half acre field plot was sprayed with DBCP using the drench method. Air samples were taken from the breathing zone of the applicator during the mixing, spraying and clean-up procedures. Air samples were also taken periodically around the perimeter of the plot for up to 7 days after spraying.