Abstract
Occupational exposure to four insecticides and two fungicides was measured in 151 commercial tree and shrub applicators who used hand-held equipment when spraying pesticides. The study was conducted for 3 consecutive years: 1985, 1986, and 1987. Worker exposure was determined by collecting full-shift, breathing zone air samples. Sampling was conducted with battery operated, constant flow air sampling devices. The air concentrations of acephate and benomyl were below the laboratory detection limit of 0.001 mg for all samples taken. Carbaryl (71 samples), diazinon (74 samples), and dicofol (84 samples) were detectable in less than 30% of the total samples. Of the samples where detectable levels were identified, the range of detectable levels were 0.010–0.070 mg/m3, 0.001–0.040 mg/m3, and 0.001–0.007 mg/m3 for carbaryl (19 samples), diazinon (25 samples), and dicofol (11 samples), respectively. Chlorothalonil was detected in one (1) of 14 samples at 0.011 mg/m3. Where threshold limit values (TLVs®) and permissible exposure limits (PELs) were established, the results reveal that all the samples were well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) PELs, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) TLVs, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limits, and manufacturers' acceptable limits. These data support the directions for use of these pesticides as products labeled for ornamental tree and shrub application wherein respiratory protection is not required for workers using hand-held equipment.