title: Gas chromatographic method for assessing the dermal exposure of greenhouse applicators to dimethoate and malathion.
abstract: An analytical method is developed to determine potential and actual dermal exposure to dimethoate and malathion for agricultural workers using whole body dosimetry. The methodology described includes three different aspects: the validation of the analytical method incorporating a matrix effect for establishing performance parameters such as recovery rates (between 92% and 103% for both pesticides), limits of detection and quantitation, and precision of measurements (RSD < 10%); a field sampling strategy developing a procedure for collecting samples and carrying out field spikes and field blanks in order to ensure the stability of samples during transport, storage, and analysis; and finally, a quality control procedure for ensuring that data are under statistical control. The method is applied to evaluate the potential and actual dermal exposure as well as its distribution for a pesticide applicator and the applicator's assistant after a greenhouse application. Operator exposure levels of approximately 68 mL/h, and 25 mL/h in the case of the assistant, are found. The body areas most exposed are the lower body and hands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Castro Cano
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Martínez Vidal
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Egea González
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martínez Galera
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D002138:Calibration; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D004117:Dimethoate / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis*; D008294:Malathion / Q000032:analysis*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D008294:Malathion; D004117:Dimethoate