During pest control operations the use of agrochemicals can have adverse impacts on the health of operators, bystanders, workers and residents. A thorough understanding of health risks and legal implications associated with the use of PPP will reduce the prospect of serious consequences. PPP exposure is initially estimated using a computer model and extracting data from toxicological studies. When applying such models the estimated exposure levels for some PPPs can appear unacceptably high; under these circumstances a controlled field study might be required in order to establish a precise exposure level.
Worker re-entry studies are conducted to establish safe re-entry intervals for workers in several scenarios such as outdoor field activities (e.g. pruning/thinning for orchards or grapevines) or greenhouse activities (e.g. picking/bounding flowers).
Worker exposure studies are performed to evaluate operators’ contamination whilst performing typical operations related to mixing/loading and PPP application.
Sampling techniques include the following:
- Quantitative measurement of dermal and inhalation exposure;
- Exposure distribution (e.g. hands, body, inhalation);
- IOM sampler to capture particulate matter and airborne particles.
Our activity consists of providing logistic support to other CRO to perform re-entry worker exposure and operator exposure studies.
It is evident that we are able enough to find suitable farmers and operators to perform this type of studies throughout Italy; moreover, we are involved in monitoring critical phases (e.g. monitored application as field observers) and operate in absence of Test Facility personnel, i.e. our customer.