Studies on contamination patterns, penetration of pesticides through clothing and spray operator protection.
Lee S. A., Yang S. C.
Author Affiliation: MARDI, Jalan Kebun, P.S. 186, Pejabat Besar Pos, 41720 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on plant protection in the tropics, Genting Highlands, Malaysia, 20-23 March 1990. : 9-21
Abstract : Ten experiments were conducted in Malaysia to study the potential contamination patterns during mixing or spraying of weeds and crops, and to determine the extent of contamination on sprayer operators. When farmers poured concentrated UV-sensitive dye on the cap before pouring it into the spray tank, dye blotches were located mainly on the farmers' fingers. Mixing of powder with water, followed by loading into the spray tank and washing the spray tank resulted in contamination of the hands, arms, body front, thighs, shanks and feet (front and back). Circle spraying using a conventional knapsack sprayer (CKS with a single cone of 1/16 inch or with Jun Chong LSA/4 cones), CP-15 (VLV 100) and Micron Herbi (controlled droplet applicator) (CDA) at 75 cm nozzle height in an immature rambutan [Nephelium lappaceum var. lappaceum] plot resulted in contamination from the head to the feet, including the back regions. The addition of anti-drift Staput to spray formulations reduced the extent of vertical contamination on 2 out of 4 spray operators during circle spraying on weeds at 75 cm nozzle height using CKS hollow cones. Extensive contamination from the head to the feet was also observed during circle spraying on weeds using CP-15 at 45-60 cm nozzle height in oil palm or CDA at 45 or 75 cm in rambutans. Severe blotching on the face and body occurred during overhead spraying of ferns on oil palm trunks. Simulated insecticide + fungicide CKS spraying on the fruit and leaves of mature snake gourds [Trichosanthes cucumerina], long beans [Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis ?] or mangoes caused severe contamination of most regions of the body. During routine spraying in oil palms using the CP-15 (VLV 200), the times taken for 100% contamination of water-sensitive paper were 30 min (at the knee), 1 h 15 min (at the right hip) and 2 h 30 min (at the right bicep). It took an av. of 20.5 min for a herbicide solution (applied via a CKS fan nozzle) to penetrate long cotton trousers during spraying. The results are discussed in relation to potential spray operator exposure, the selection of appropriate basic protective clothing and equipment, and the design of supplementary clothing for the tropics.