Title
Exposure profiles of pesticides among greenhouse workers: Implications for epidemiological studies
Author
Tielemans, E.
Bretveld, R.
Schinkel, J.
de Wendel van - Joode, B.
Kromhout, H.
Gerritsen-Ebben, R.
Roeleveld, N.
Preller, L.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2007
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess exposure to pesticides for a longitudinal epidemiological study on adverse reproduction effects among greenhouse workers. Detailed information on pesticide use among greenhouse workers was obtained on a monthly basis through self-administered questionnaires and subsequent workplace surveys. Questionnaires were filled in for a whole year. Dermal exposure rankings were developed for each task using the observational method Dermal Exposure Assessment Method (DREAM). Exposure scores were calculated for each worker for each month during the year, taking into account frequency, duration and exposure intensity for each task. A total number of 116 different active ingredients were used in the population, whereas a mean number of 15 active ingredients were applied per greenhouse. DREAM observations provided insight into the exposure intensity of 12 application techniques and three mixing and loading activities. Relatively high DREAM scores were obtained for scattering, fogging, dusting, and mixing and loading of powders. Observations with DREAM indicated that application with a horizontal ground-boom, motor driven boom, and bulb shower resulted in low dermal exposure. Exposure scores showed substantial variation between workers and over the year. It can be concluded that exposure variation between- and within greenhouses is very large, both in terms of chemical composition and exposure intensity. This may be a significant contributor to the inconsistent results of studies evaluating health effects of pesticide exposure. © 2007 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.
Subject
Safety
Food and Chemical Risk Analysis
Exposure assessment
Pesticides
Variability
fungicide
herbicide
insecticide
pesticide
article
controlled study
greenhouse
human
human experiment
male
normal human
occupational exposure
occupational hazard
questionnaire
reproductive toxicity
scoring system
semen analysis
worker
workplace
Agriculture
Air Pollutants, Occupational
Algorithms
Environmental Monitoring
Epidemiologic Studies
Hand
Humans
Male
Netherlands
Occupational Exposure
Pesticides
Questionnaires
Skin
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e0f07876-5884-4bab-8735-6ce8e8d5ff90
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500544
TNO identifier
240192
ISSN
1559-0631
Source
Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 17 (6), 501-509
Document type
article