EXPOSURE OF SPRAYERS AND PLANT HANDLERS TO MEVINPHOS IN FINNISH GREENHOUSES

Abstract

The exposure of sprayers and plant handlers to mevinphos, a toxic organophosphate insecticide, was evaluated in eight flower-growing greenhouses. The purpose was to assess an appropriate re-entry interval for mevinphos after its application in greenhouses. Inhalational and dermal exposure was measured during two days after application by measuring mevinphos in the greenhouse air and on the foliage. Workers' dermal exposure was measured with patch and handwash samples. The method of application considerably affected the levels of mevinphos in greenhouse air and on the foliage. The occupational exposure was measured with patch and handwash samples. The method of application considerably affected the levels of mevinphos in greenhouse air and on the foliage. The occupational exposure limit for mevinphos in Finland (100 micrograms/m3) was exceeded during the use of nonthermal foggers. Usually, however, the concentration of mevinphos in the breathing zone of the workers was below 10 micrograms/m3 9-12 hr after application. Mevinphos disappeared rapidly from greenhouse air and from the foliage after application, with a half-life of 9.2 hr. These data provide evidence that the main route of exposure to mevinphos is dermal, a conclusion supported by the excellent correlation between dermal exposure and the amount of mevinphos on the foliage. The calculated re-entry interval for mevinphos was approximately 4.5 hr. However, that interval is likely to be too short in practice because the risk of dermal exposure is considerable for more than 10 hr after the application of mevinphos.