Long-term studies of fungicide concentrations in greenhouses .3. Exposure risks after spraying in greenhouses

The study presented concerns the dermal exposure risks during harvest work in greenhouses after fungicide application. The contamination of the fungicide vinclozolin on clothes, overalls and gloves, worn during harvest after application was investigated. The fungicide was extracted from the cloth with 1-chlorobutane and finally determined with HPLC. The average amount of fungicide found on the clothes, the potential exposure, was 25 mg after 8 h of work in the greenhouse. It was estimated that most of the fungicide amount was found on gloves. Assuming a maximum uptake of vinclozolin (on bare skin) of 10%, the value of the dermal exposure was estimated to be 2.5 mg/day. In the absence of threshold values for dermal, exposure a comparison was made with recommended values for acceptable daily intake of foodstuffs. This comparison reveals that the assumed dermal exposure is higher than the value set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency but lower than the value given by the World Health Organization. Thus, the use of protective garments during harvesting, especially on the hands, is recommended.