Efficiency of Gum Rosin-Coated Personal Protective Clothing to Protect against Chlorpyrifos Exposure in Applicators.

Ratana Sapbamrer,Manoch Naksata,Wilawan Chaiut,Jiraporn Chittrakul,Surat Hongsibsong

doi:10.3390/ijerph19052594

Ratana Sapbamrer, Manoch Naksata + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052594

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Abstract

An ideal theoretical model for personal protective clothing (PPC) is to protect wearers from external workplace hazards while meeting certain ergonomic requirements. This study aims to compare the efficiency of different personal protective clothing in its protection against chlorpyrifos, including gum rosin-coated PPC, commercial PPC (Tychem® coverall), and everyday clothing, during application under field conditions. Perception of discomfort and physiological effects after wearing PPC were also investigated. Thirty-one applicators were invited and consented to participate in the study. The study established that the median percentage of chlorpyrifos protection efficiency was 90.7% for commercial PPC, 89.2% for gum rosin-coated PPC, and 76.5% for everyday PPC. When the protection efficiency was compared among the different types of PPC, the percentage protection efficiency of gum rosin-coated PPC was not significantly different from that of commercial PPC. The percentage protection efficiencies of commercial PPC and gum rosin-coated PPC were significantly higher than that of everyday PPC. The major characteristics of gum rosin-coated PPC were water-repellency, breathability, low cost, and ease of manufacture. Therefore, this study suggests that gum rosin-coated PPC is a reasonable alternative PPC for farmers, particularly in low and middle-low-income countries and tropical climates, to protect against pesticides while providing acceptable comfort.

Highlights

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralPesticides are used in farming for increasing crop productivity and protecting crops from pests
This study found that the effectiveness of gum rosin-coated PCC in protecting against chlorpyrifos was comparable to that of commercial personal protective clothing (PPC)
The results of this study demonstrated that everyday PPC had the least efficiency in protecting against chlorpyrifos

Summary

Introduction

Pesticides are used in farming for increasing crop productivity and protecting crops from pests. Occupational exposure to pesticides in agriculture is a major risk factor in the development of acute and chronic health effects. These health effects include eczema, asthma, neurological diseases, reproductive diseases, and cancers [1,2]. Occupational exposure to pesticides often occurs when pesticide handlers apply, mix, load, and transport pesticides. The most common routes of exposure to pesticides are dermal and via inhalation. Dermal exposure often occurs when pesticide handlers wear an inappropriate type of personal protective equipment (PPE) during application.

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