Assessment of risk of unfavourable effect of pesticides on operators (To the problem of harmonization of hygienic standards in Ukraine)

Abstract

Introduction. The assessment of unfavorable effect of pesticides on operators is one of obligatory condition in making a decision on their state registration. A calculation of the exposure dose and definition of the permissible level, as main constituents in risk assessment, are made in ECC according to the unified algorithms. In order to introduce hygienic standards in Ukraine in accordance with European legislation, it is advisable to use the mentioned algorithms with due account of traditional national approaches to the conception on safety of pesticides and on work with them. Materials and methods. EEC Directives on sanitary legislation and methodical guidance on determination of exposed doses and permissible levels of pesticides for operators. Analysis of materials. Results. A deterministic predictive operative exposure model РОЕМ (EUROPOEM), using the database, covering worst-case scenario of the work with pesticides and the algorithm of operator exposure level (AOEL), the whole set of toxicological data, critical directions of nonoperative exposure levels (NOAEL) with the safety coefficient, providing the extrapolation of experimental data on man (operator), can be used as algorithms, presenting uniqueness and transparency of conclusions on risk assessment of pesticide exposure on operators’ health. These algorithms can be recommended for risk assessment in pesticide application by operators in Ukraine. Conclusion. 1. When making a decision by the results of the quantitative level of exposure from the point of view of the predictive value of a model, a preference should be given to the algorithm, based on the most full «historical» databases, including cases not foreseen by worst cases. UK POEM and its modified variant EUROPOEM II, which are proposed for adoption in Ukraine, as an official algorithm for calculation of the exposure doses of pesticides in their application, seems to be the most acceptable. 2. It seems appropriate to substantiate allowable levels of pesticides in their effects on operators in Ukraine by the algorithm EFSA, with due account of individual judgments on the degree of safety, based on the analysis of all set of available toxicological data and approve them in due order as a state hygienic standard.