Organophosphate pesticide exposures of traditional and integrated pest management farmers from working air conditions: a case study in Thailand.
Concentrations of organophosphate pesticides, including chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion, were measured in ambient air breathed by farmers in Tambon Bang Rieng, Thailand. An exposure assessment and comparison was made between the levels of pesticide exposure of traditional and integrated pest management (IPM) farmers. Thirty-three air samples were collected during pesticide spraying. Traditional farmers were exposed to higher levels of the pesticide(s), with an average concentration of 0.19 mg/m3, compared with 0.037 mg/m3 for the IPM farmers. It was estimated that a farmer of Tambon Bang Rieng would be exposed to 81-12,261 mg of the organophosphate pesticide(s) via inhalation throughout his or her lifetime. Moreover, traditional farmers absorbed more of pesticide via inhalation than did IPM farmers.
National Research Center for Environmental and Hazardous Waste Management, Chukalongkorn University, Patumwan, Bangkok, Thailand.
Viris
V
Jirachaiyabhas
Parichart
P
Visuthismajarn
Paromita
P
Hore
Mark G
MG
Robson
D000383:Agriculture; D004390:Chlorpyrifos / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008743:Methyl Parathion / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D013785:Thailand
D007306:Insecticides; D010755:Organophosphates; D008743:Methyl Parathion; D004390:Chlorpyrifos