Working conditions and health risks of operators in the application of pesticides based on mancozeb on high horticultural crops

Abstract

Introduction. The increased interest in viticulture in Russia makes mancozeb-based fungicides in demand. Safety and health of operators during application pesticides is a major concern in agricultural activities. Materials and methods. Field studies to determine the exposure of various formulations of mancozeb in the air of the working area and on the skin of the operators during airblast spraying of orchards were carried out. Margin of safety by exposure (KBtotal) and by absorbed dose (KBabs) were conducted. Exposure assessment included the determination of its probability. Results. Wettable powders compared with water-dispersible granules show a fivefold increase in the average concentrations of mancozeb found in the air of the work area and almost a threefold increase in the skin. Exposure and absorbed dose risk rates for wettable powders are three times higher than for water-dispersible granules. For one of the drugs, the total risk was higher than the tolerable risk. The probability distribution vector of possible danger states for the operator after the sixth hour of work shows the probability of an unacceptable state as the highest. Limitations. The scopes of the study were determined by studying the behaviour of mancozeb in the formulations of the wettable powder and water-dispersible granules during airblast spraying of orchards. Conclusion. For health safety purposes, mancozeb-based preparations should be used in compliance with the regulations and safety measures. Operators, who handle and apply pesticides in orchards, should be forcing to wear protective garments and personal protective equipment. The choice of water-dispersible granules formulation is preferable. Don’t exceed the application rate and spraying time.