THE RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN AGRICULTURE PRACTICES

THE RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN AGRICULTURE PRACTICES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES • To characterize the risk associated with agricultural chemicals • To identify the routes of exposure • To minimize chemical exposure

AREA OF INTEREST: HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY TENGKU HANIDZA ISMAIL DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA 603 -89466750 thanidza@fsas. upm. edu. COURSES TAUGHT: ENV HEALTH PRINCIPLES OF CHEM IN ENV SCIENCE PRINCIPLES OF BIO IN ENV SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

PESTICIDES All pesticides are biologically active. If handled incorrectly or carelessly, they can be dangerous to human.

EXPOSURE AT WORK Although exposure to chemicals in agricultural activities is difficult to avoid, the risk can be reduced.

WORK ACTIVITIES All handling activities may pose a threat: mixing, applying, loading, equipment cleaning, storage, transportation, disposal, and spills.

HOW TO REDUCE RISK? Three important areas when it comes to reducing risk: (1) proper storage and disposal (2) proper handling procedures and (3) proper use of personal protection equipment (PPE)

RISKS OF EXPOSURE Handle & mix Rinse containers Apply indoors Clean-up Enter (48 hrs) Apply outdoors Very high Med- very high Med – hi Low-very high Low – med

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE Chemicals enter the body through: Inhalation of spray vapors/droplets; unbroken skin; wounds (cuts, grazes); oral ingestion (by mouth with food, drink or cigarettes).

EXPOSURE OCCURS WHEN CHEMICALS ARE REMOVED FROM STORAGE AREAS CHEMICALS

EXPOSURE OCCURS WHEN EMPTY BAGS/ CONTAINERS ARE BURNED SMOKE CONTAINS CHEMICALS BARE HANDS NO MASK

80 -85% OF EXPOSURE IS DURING MIXING … NO COVER BARE HANDS NO MASK

…. . AND LOADING CONCENTRATE NO MASK CHEMICALS BARE HANDS

FIELD APPLICATION : 1520% OF THE EXPOSURE CHEMICAL MIST

DERMAL EXPOSURE: 90 -100% OF THE TOTAL EXPOSURE (70% ON THE HANDS AND FOREARMS) Chemical powder

INHALATION: 0. 1% EXPOSURE POWDER INCREASES THE RISK OF EXPOSURE DUST

CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE? USE SAFER PHYSICAL FORMS AND PROPER PACKAGING

SOLUBLE BAGS CAN REDUCE EXPOSURE reduce dust minimize dermal contact bag into tank

CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE? PROPER METHODS OF PREPARATION • PUMPING/POUR LIQUID • SOLUBLE BAGS • AVOID MIXING POWDER INTO SLURRY • CLOSED SYSTEM

CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE? PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS (PPEs) WEARING PROPER PROTECTIVE CLOTHINGS REDUCES THE RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

HEADGEAR CHEM RESIST HOOD/WIDE BRIM HAT. CAPS (NOT ENOUGH TO PROTECT CHEM RESIST FACE, NECK, GLOVES not AND EARS) LTHR/CLOTH GLOVES : RETAIN GLOVES RESIDUES

EYES & FACE COVER GLASSESS/ GOGGLES RESPIRATORS/ DUST MASK/

BODY & FOOT COVER RUBBER/ PLASTIC SUITS/ APRONS BOOTS / SHOES & SOCKS /BOOTIES

BODY COVER DISPOSABLE COVERALLS

MISUSE OF PPEs NO HEAD COVER NO GLOVES NO GLASSES NO MASK NO SHOES & SOCKS

MISUSE OF PPEs NO GLOVES FRONT MUST BE COVERED

CONCLUSION Exposure to chemicals can be prevented or reduced by using caution, common sense, good safety habits, protective clothing and knowledge on pesticide.