TY - JOUR
T1 - Dermal Exposure Associated with Occupational End Use of Pesticides and the Role of Protective Measures
AU - Macfarlane, E.
AU - Carey, Renee
AU - Keegel, T.G.
AU - El-Zaemay, Sonia
AU - Fritschi, Lin
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Background Occupational end users of pesticides may experience bodily absorption of the pesticide products they use, risking possible health effects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working in the field of agricultural health or other areas where occupational end use of pesticides and exposure issues are of interest. Methods This paper characterizes the health effects of pesticide exposure, jobs associated with pesticide use, pesticide-related tasks, absorption of pesticides through the skin, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for reducing exposure. Conclusions Although international and national efforts to reduce pesticide exposure through regulatory means should continue, it is difficult in the agricultural sector to implement engineering or system controls. It is clear that use of PPE does reduce dermal pesticide exposure but compliance among the majority of occupationally exposed pesticide end users appears to be poor. More research is needed on higher-order controls to reduce pesticide exposure and to understand the reasons for poor compliance with PPE and identify effective training methods. © 2013, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Published by Elsevier. All rights reserved.
AB - Background Occupational end users of pesticides may experience bodily absorption of the pesticide products they use, risking possible health effects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working in the field of agricultural health or other areas where occupational end use of pesticides and exposure issues are of interest. Methods This paper characterizes the health effects of pesticide exposure, jobs associated with pesticide use, pesticide-related tasks, absorption of pesticides through the skin, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for reducing exposure. Conclusions Although international and national efforts to reduce pesticide exposure through regulatory means should continue, it is difficult in the agricultural sector to implement engineering or system controls. It is clear that use of PPE does reduce dermal pesticide exposure but compliance among the majority of occupationally exposed pesticide end users appears to be poor. More research is needed on higher-order controls to reduce pesticide exposure and to understand the reasons for poor compliance with PPE and identify effective training methods. © 2013, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Published by Elsevier. All rights reserved.
U2 - 10.1016/j.shaw.2013.07.004
DO - 10.1016/j.shaw.2013.07.004
M3 - Review article
C2 - 24106643
VL - 4
SP - 136
EP - 141
JO - Safety and Health at Work
JF - Safety and Health at Work
IS - 3
ER -