Exposure of Sprayers and Plant Handlers to Mevinphos in Finnish Greenhouses

Abstract

The exposure of sprayers and plant handlers to mevinphos, a toxic organophosphate insecticide, was evaluated in eight flower-growing greenhouses. The purpose was to assess an appropriate re-entry interval for mevinphos after its application in greenhouses. Inhalational and dermal exposure was measured during two days after application by measuring mevinphos in the greenhouse air and on the foliage. Workers' dermal exposure was measured with patch and handwash samples. The method of application considerably affected the levels of mevinphos in greenhouse air and on the foliage. The occupational exposure was measured with patch and handwash samples. The method of application considerably affected the levels of mevinphos in greenhouse air and on the foliage. The occupational exposure limit for mevinphos in Finland (100 micrograms/m3) was exceeded during the use of nonthermal foggers. Usually, however, the concentration of mevinphos in the breathing zone of the workers was below 10 micrograms/m3 9-12 hr after application. Mevinphos disappeared rapidly from greenhouse air and from the foliage after application, with a half-life of 9.2 hr. These data provide evidence that the main route of exposure to mevinphos is dermal, a conclusion supported by the excellent correlation between dermal exposure and the amount of mevinphos on the foliage. The calculated re-entry interval for mevinphos was approximately 4.5 hr. However, that interval is likely to be too short in practice because the risk of dermal exposure is considerable for more than 10 hr after the application of mevinphos.

Chromosome aberrations in pesticide-exposed greenhouse workers

“…The effect of the spraying season was primarily observed for the workers who had not used gloves during re-entry activities when performing nonspraying job tasks involving high-dermal exposure, such as nipping, cutting, pricking, and potting. These findings agree with the generally accepted assumption that exposure to pesticides during re-entry activities mostly occurs through the hands and forearms, pesticides being taken up either percutaneously or orally (3)(4)(5). Although we could not show any clear effects of smoking on chromosome aberrations in general, the greenhouse workers who had not used protective gloves and were current smokers showed a much higher risk ratio of chromatid gaps than the nonsmokers did.…”

“…Hence the actual exposure of greenhouse workers probably occurs in re-entry activities such as cutting and trimming cultures recently treated with pesticides. The main route of uptake is through the skin, in particular on the hands and forearms, and some exposure may also occur orally (3)(4)(5).…”

Time to pregnancy among the wives of Finnish greenhouse workers

“…The shortcomings were as follows: (i) exposure assessment was based mainly on self-reports of the work conditions and exposure and (ii) no specific data on occupational hygiene measurements from the companies or biomonitoring of the workers were available. Proper protective clothing is effective in decreasing the exposure of workers during and after applications (11). The finding that the association was enhanced among those who did not use personal protection efficiently makes the results more plausible.…”

“…Most insecticides, such as organophosphates, carbamates, and organochlorines, penetrate the skin easily. Most of the exposure occurs via the skin, depending on the application method (11). Some pesticides degrade on the leaves into more toxic compounds with even a stronger penetration capacity through the skin than their parent compounds.…”

Semen quality and sexual hormones in greenhouse workers

“…The magnitude of exposure depends on the amount of dislodgeable foliar residue, job task, size of cultures, and type and formulation of pesticides. Through manual contact with cultures the transfer of pesticides to gloves, pads or hands varies from a few micrograms to a few milligrams per hour (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). Few studies deal with the actual absorption of pesticides in relation to re-entry activities in greenhouses.…”