Entomology, Department of
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
1992
Abstract
Field workerswere monitored for dermal and respiratory exposure to chlorpyrifos (with and without crop oil), carbaryl, and permethrin at reentry intervals of 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 h after application. Insecticides were applied to R3 stage corn through an overhead center-pivot irrigation system. Dermal exposure was measured by analyzing 18 gauze pads attached to the clothing of workers to represent human body regions. Hand exposure was determined using cotton gloves. Respiratory exposure was determined using portable air samplers equipped with polyurethane foam plugs to trap ambient insecticide residues. Gas liquid chromatography was used to quantify residues of chlorpyrifos and permethrin in gauze pads, gloves, and foam plugs. Carbaryl residues in pads, gloves, and foam plugs were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Highest dermal and respiratory exposures were found at the 2-h reentry interval. Exposures decreased as reentry interval increased. Dermal exposure was primarily confined to the hands. Residues detected by air samplers ranged from 0 to 0.03 μg/liter. Based on the estimated percentages of acute toxic dose (all <0.00038%), the risk of acute toxicity to workers at the intervals studied was low.
Comments
Published in J. Econ. Entomol. 85(3): 974-980 (1992) Copyright 1992 Entomological Society of America Used by permission