Evaluation of respiratory and cutaneous doses and urinary excretion of alkylphosphates by workers in greenhouses treated with omethoate, fenitrothion, and tolclofos-methyl

• Published in: American Industrial Hygiene Association journal Vol. 62; no. 1; pp. 87 - 95
• Main Authors: APREA, Cristina, SCIARRA, Gianfranco, LUNGHINI, Liana, CENTI, Letizia, CECCARELLI, Franco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fairfax, VA American Industrial Hygiene Association 2001; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cereals; Cotton; fenitrothion; Greenhouses; Indicator organisms; Ingredients; Insecticides; Medical sciences; Metabolites; Occupational safety; omethoate; Pesticides; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Protective clothing; Skin; Studies; tolclofos-methyl; Toxicity; Toxicology; Urine; Workers; Human; Evaluation; Insecticide; Horticulture; Fenitrothion; Pesticides; Occupational exposure; Fungicide; Biological monitoring; Inhalation; Percutaneous route; Prevention; Absorption; Protective clothing; Benzenic compound; Organophosphorus compounds; Skin; Greenhouse; Occupational medicine; Topical administration
• ISSN: 0002-8894; 2163-369X

This research evaluated exposure pathways across work tasks for three organophosphate pesticides in a group of greenhouse workers. During reentry in ornamental plant greenhouses, five male workers were monitored for five consecutive days. Skin contamination (excluding hands) was evaluated with nine pads of filter paper placed on the skin. Hand contamination was assessed by washing with 95% ethanol. Respiratory exposure was evaluated by personal air sampling. The respiratory dose was based on a lung ventilation of 20 L/min. The doses absorbed were estimated assuming 10% skin penetration and 100% lung retention. Urinary alkylphosphates were assayed in the 24-hour urine samples of the days on which exposure was evaluated. Respiratory exposure was usually less than skin contamination, being 4.5 plus or minus 8.4%, 9.9 plus or minus 10.0%, and 49.5 plus or minus 26.6% (mean plus or minus standard deviation) of total exposure for omethoate, tolclofos-methyl, and fenitrothion, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that urinary alkylphosphate (nmol/24 hours) (y) was significantly correlated (r = 0.716, p < 0.001) with the respiratory doses of the three active ingredients absorbed the same day (x sub(1)) and with the cutaneous dose absorbed the previous day (x sub(2)). The relationship was expressed by the equation y = 0.592x sub(2) + 0.117x sub(1) + 156.364. The doses of omethoate absorbed by one worker were more than 45 times the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 1.41 nmol/kg body weight (b.w.) The ADI for fenitrothion and tolclofos-methyl (10.8 and 212.6 nmol/kg body weight, respectively) were never exceeded. High absorption by one worker underlines the importance of correct use of protective clothing. In this study the hands were always a source of contact with the pesticides. Greater precautions should be taken to reduce contamination (clean gloves, constant use of gloves).