Worker exposure and protective clothing performance during manual seed treatment with lindane.
Twelve workers were monitored for exposure to 18.75% lindane dust formulation during manual wheat seed treatment. The mean total actual exposure rate was 32.89 mg/hr. Potential respiratory exposure averaged 0.0057 mg/hr (less than 1% of the total), with seven workers receiving no measurable respiratory exposures. Mean hand exposure was 1.84 mg/hr (5.6%). Dermal exposure to the head and neck averaged 4.28 mg/hr (13%). Exposure measured beneath the workshirt and workpants averaged 26.8 mg/hr (81.4%). The workshirt and workpants provided 3.4-fold and 11.5-fold protection factors, respectively. Forearm exposure measured beneath the workshirt represented more than 40% of total actual exposure. The small contribution of hand exposure to total dermal exposure was consistent with the use of chemical-resistant gloves by all workers. Total dermal exposure could be reduced substantially by wearing coveralls over regular work clothing, and by the use of guantlet-type gloves. It is recommended that worker education concerning personal hygiene and the appropriate use of protection clothing be made essential components of exposure reduction programs.
Fenske
R A
RA
Department of Environmental Science, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, New Brunswick 08903.
Blacker
A M
AM
Hamburger
S J
SJ
Simon
G S
GS
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012867:Skin / Q000032:analysis
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane