Assessment of the dermal exposure to azoxystrobin among women tending cucumbers in selected Polish greenhouses after restricted entry intervals expired--the role of the protective gloves.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to determine the level of skin contamination by azoxystrobin in a group of women tending cucumbers in a vegetable-growing greenhouse after restricted entry intervals expired.


METHODS
Exposure samples were assessed on two days during the spring: first entry on the day after spraying of azoxystrobin and second entry six days later. Dermal exposure was measured by using patches on the outside of clothing and sampling gloves underneath regular working gloves. Pesticide deposited on clothing patches and gloves as a substitute for skin deposition was determined by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).


RESULTS
The study has shown that workers in a Polish greenhouse are exposed to pesticides at re-entry into the greenhouse after pesticides were sprayed several days earlier. Azoxystrobin has been detected on hands, shoulders and chest. Higher levels of azoxystrobin were found on the cotton gloves of women tending the vegetables than on the patches. The levels decreased (by about 60%) on the patches and increased (by about 250%) on the cotton gloves between the two days of measurement.


CONCLUSIONS
Women working in a vegetable-growing greenhouse and not directly engaged in the process of spraying experience a measurable dermal exposure to azoxystrobin. The protective gloves constitute a source of secondary exposure rather than protecting employees' hands from contact with the pesticide. More efficient personal protective gloves for proper protection of women working in vegetable greenhouses are needed.
Jurewicz
Joanna
J
Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland. joannaj@imp.lodz.pl
Hanke
Wojciech
W
Sobala
Wojciech
W
Ligocka
Danuta
D
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000633:toxicity*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D011044:Poland; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000633:toxicity*; D000073739:Strobilurins
D008689:Methacrylates; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000073739:Strobilurins; C087670:azoxystrobin