Sithembiso S Msibi1, Chung-Yu Chen2, Cheng-Ping Chang2, Chiou-Jong Chen2, Su-Yin Chiang3, Kuen-Yuh Wu1,4. 1. Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 10055, Taiwan. 2. Department of Occupational Safety and Health, School of Safety and Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, No. 1 Changda Rd., Guiren District, Tainan, 71101, Taiwan. 3. School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, No. 91, Hseuh-Shih Rd., Taichung, 40402, Taiwan. 4. Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 10055, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Serious concerns surround the potential risks resulting from inhalation exposure to pesticides amongst agricultural workers when mixing and applying these compounds. In Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), Southern Africa, pesticides are widely used to improve the yield and quality of sugar cane production, the largest contributor to the country's economy. We assessed applicators' inhalation exposures from multiple spraying sources to four commonly used herbicides in Eswatini. RESULTS: Analysis of 76 personal air samples by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed four pesticides: ametryn, atrazine, pendimethalin, and 2,4-D, with mean concentrations of 36.91, 21.57, 31.05 and 0.89 μg/m3 , respectively. These inhalation exposures are much higher than those recorded in previous, similar studies. CONCLUSION: Although all applicators in this study used personal protective equipment (PPE), they nevertheless recorded high levels of inhalation exposures to commonly used pesticides. Our findings suggest that in addition to observing mandated regular changing and cleaning practices with PPE for ultimate personal protection, pesticide applicators should distance themselves from each other when spraying, to effectively reduce their exposure to pesticides from multiple spraying sources. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal spraying distance between pesticide applicators. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Serious concerns surround the potential risks resulting from inhalation exposure to pesticides amongst agricultural workers when mixing and applying these compounds. In Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), Southern Africa, pesticides are widely used to improve the yield and quality of sugar cane production, the largest contributor to the country's economy. We assessed applicators' inhalation exposures from multiple spraying sources to four commonly used herbicides in Eswatini. RESULTS: Analysis of 76 personal air samples by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed four pesticides: ametryn, atrazine, pendimethalin, and 2,4-D, with mean concentrations of 36.91, 21.57, 31.05 and 0.89 μg/m3 , respectively. These inhalation exposures are much higher than those recorded in previous, similar studies. CONCLUSION: Although all applicators in this study used personal protective equipment (PPE), they nevertheless recorded high levels of inhalation exposures to commonly used pesticides. Our findings suggest that in addition to observing mandated regular changing and cleaning practices with PPE for ultimate personal protection, pesticide applicators should distance themselves from each other when spraying, to effectively reduce their exposure to pesticides from multiple spraying sources. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal spraying distance between pesticide applicators. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Authors: Muyesaier Tudi; Hairong Li; Hongying Li; Li Wang; Jia Lyu; Linsheng Yang; Shuangmei Tong; Qiming Jimmy Yu; Huada Daniel Ruan; Albert Atabila; Dung Tri Phung; Ross Sadler; Des Connell Journal: Toxics Date: 2022-06-19