CHLOROTHALONIL EXPOSURE OF WORKERS ON MECHANICAL TOMATO HARVESTERS

Worker exposure to chlorothalonil (tetrachloroisophtalonitrile, Bravo(R) during mechanical tomato harvester operations of fruit for processing was estimated from passive dermal dosimetry monitoring (gauze pad and undershirt dosimetry), air concentration measurements and hand washes. Gauze pad dosimeters placed outside of workers' clothing gave an average potential dermal exposure of 499.6-mu-g/h. Dermal exposure based on undershirt dosimetry averaged 43.4-mu-g/h. Air concentrations ranged from 0.002-0.02-mu-g/l. Dislodgeable fruit residues were measured and used to to develop transfer factors (cm2/h) for both the pad dosimetry (450) and shirt dosimetry (40). Study results indicate that normal work clothing provides a 90% reduction in dermal exposure to chlorothalonil and that contribution of inhalation to total exposure ranges from 8.1-28%.