Loss of effectiveness of protective clothing after its use in pesticide sprays and its multiple washes

ABSTRACT

Protective clothing is used as a barrier against pesticides when working with agricultural sprays. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pesticide penetration, retention, and repellence of the material and seams of a whole-body protective garment used by applicators of pesticides. The efficiency of the material and seams of the whole-body garment were determined for its classification as proposed by ISO 27065 (ISO, 2011). The evaluation method used was the pipette test of ISO 22608. The efficiency of the material and seams of the garment (100% cotton) were tested by contamination with formulations of Roundup Original® SL; Nufos EC® and Supera SC®. The presence of the seams in the protective clothing reduced its efficiency in the control of dermal exposure, except when protecting against the Supera SC® formulation. The number of washes and uses affected the efficiency of the material and seams of the garment. The type of formulation interfered significantly in the penetration of pesticides into the material and seams. Thus, the laboratory efficiency assessment of protective clothing is necessary to determine what types of formulations and use conditions are appropriate for workers.

KEYWORDS:

• Efficiency testing
• penetration of pesticide
• pipette test
• protective material

Acknowledgment

The authors thank the Cosan/Bonfim Unit for conducting the field research.

Funding

São Paulo Research Foundation (process number 2005/60387).