Agricultural worker exposure to and absorption of permethrin applied to cabbage

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 42 - 49
• Main Authors: Asakawa, F. (Kagawa Medical School, Kagawa, Japan.), Jitsunari, F, Miki, K, Choi, J.O, Takeda, N, Kitamado, T, Suna, S, Manabe, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer-Verlag 01-01-1996
• Subjects: ABSORCION; ABSORPTION; Biological and medical sciences; BRASSICA; Brassica - metabolism; CABBAGES; Chloroform - chemistry; CHOU POMME; Ether - chemistry; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hexanes - chemistry; Humans; Insecticides - adverse effects; Insecticides - metabolism; JAPAN; JAPON; Medical sciences; Methanol - chemistry; OBREROS; Occupational Exposure; PERMETHRIN; PERMETHRINE; PERMETRINA; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Pyrethrins - adverse effects; Pyrethrins - metabolism; Pyrethrins - urine; Reference Standards; REPOLLO; Silica Gel; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Skin Absorption; Toxicology; TRAVAILLEUR; WORKERS; Japan; Human; Urine; Insecticide; Permethrin; Spraying; Pesticides; Pyrethroids; Farmer; Occupational exposure; Occupational medicine; Biological monitoring; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s001289900007

Urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) levels were measured in a pesticide applicator and his assistant, who applied permethrin to cabbage crops. 3-PBA is a permethrin metabolite. The applicator wore a dust mask, waterproof pants, and a nonwaterproof long-sleeve shirt. The assistant wore the same type of shirt, and nonwaterproof pants. Samplers were applied to clothing surfaces for measurement of permethrin. Urinary excretion of 3-PBA was not detectable before application and immediately after pesticide application, but was increasing before bed on the application day, and was highest the next morning. The trends for both workers were similar, but the spreader consistently demonstrated higher urinary 3-PBA levels than his assistant. High levels of permethrin adherence were found on the front of the right leg and inner right arm of the spreader. Permeation of clothing was highest in the latter location. Because the spray method involves moving forward while moving the pole back and forth, the potential for high levels of exposure exist. The levels of permethrin on clothing and 3-PBA in urine confirm this.