Pesticide Exposure during Greenhouse Applications, Part II. Chemical Permeation Through Protective Clothing in Contact with Treated Foliage

Abstract

Protective clothing performance during greenhouse high pressure handspray applications was evaluated with particular reference to the hazard of contact with wet or treated foliage. A fluorescent compound was added to the applicator's spray tank prior to work and served as a surrogate for the pesticides being sprayed. Video-imaging analysis was conducted to determine deposition patterns of the fluorescent tracer on skin, and a modified patch technique was employed outside and inside the protective garment. Four garments constructed of nonwoven, chemical-resistant fabric were tested in an initial study (Tyvek^TM, Saranex 23-P Tyvek^TM, Comfortgard^TM II, Kleenguard^TM). All garments exhibited chemical breakthrough after a 1-hour application period. Garments with special treatments to enhance chemical resistance exhibited relatively low levels of breakthrough, whereas garments without such treatment allowed substantial breakthrough. These results prompted an additional study aimed at determining the breakthrough time for the untreated garments (Tyvek, Kleenguard). Breakthrough for both garments occurred between 5 and 15 minutes following the start of application. This study also indicated that results from patch sampling can be misleading if care is not taken in the specific placement of the patches on subjects. It was concluded that none of the garments can be considered chemical resistant under the use conditions observed. Contact with treated foliage represents a special hazard during greenhouse applications, and many chemical protective clothing products in current use are inadequate for worker protection. These products should be redesigned and field-tested to ensure that greenhouse workers do not contact pesticides by this exposure pathway.