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Evaluation of inhaled and cutaneous doses of imidacloprid during stapling ornamental plants in tunnels or greenhouses

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 19, pages 555–569 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this research was to assess dermal and respiratory exposure of workers to imidacloprid during manual operations with ornamental plants previously treated in greenhouses or tunnels. A total of 10 female workers, 5 in greenhouses and 5 in tunnels, were monitored for 3 or 5 consecutive days. Actual skin contamination, excluding hands, was evaluated using nine filter paper pads placed directly on the skin. To evaluate the efficacy of protective clothing in reducing occupational exposure we also placed four pads on top of the outer clothing. Hand contamination was evaluated by washing with 95% ethanol. Respiratory exposure was evaluated by personal air sampling. Respiratory dose was calculated on the basis of a lung ventilation of 15 l/min. Absorbed doses were calculated assuming a skin penetration of 10% and a respiratory retention of 100%. Dislodgeable foliar residues (DFRs) were determined during the days of re-entry in order to determine the dermal transfer factor. From the dependence of dermal exposure of hands from DFRs, a mean transfer factor was estimated to be 36.4 cm2/h. Imidacloprid was determined by liquid chromatography with selective mass detection and electrospray interface in all matrices analysed. Respiratory dose was 4.1±4.0 (0.1–14.3)% and 3.0±2.0 (0.6–6.9)% (mean±SD (range)) of the total real dose during work in tunnels and greenhouses, respectively. The estimated absorbed doses, 0.29±0.45 μg/kg (0.06–2.25 μg/kg) body weight and 0.32±0.18 μg/kg (0.07–0.66 μg/kg) body weight (mean±SD (range)) in tunnels and in greenhouses, respectively, were less than the acceptable operator exposure level of 0.15 mg/kg body weight and than the acceptable daily intake of 0.05 mg/kg body weight. The hands and exposed skin of all workers were found to be contaminated, indicating that greater precautions, such as daily changing of gloves and clothing, are necessary to reduce skin exposure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio di Sanità Pubblica, Area Vasta Toscana Sud, Azienda USL 7, Siena, Italy

    Cristina Aprea, Liana Lunghini, Bruno Banchi, Antonio Peruzzi & Gianfranco Sciarra

  2. Servizio Prevenzione Igiene e Sicurezza nei Luoghi di Lavoro, Azienda USL 7, Zona Amiata Senese, Siena, Italy

    Letizia Centi & Luana Coppi

  3. Servizio Prevenzione Igiene e Sicurezza nei Luoghi di Lavoro, Azienda USL 9, Siena, Italy

    Mirella Bogi, Enrico Marianelli, Mariella Fantacci & Pietro Catalano

  4. U.O. Epidemiologia Ambientale ed Occupazionale, CSPO Istituto Scientifico Prevenzione Oncologica, Firenze, Italy

    Alessandra Benvenuti & Lucia Miligi

Authors
  1. Cristina Aprea
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  2. Liana Lunghini
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  3. Bruno Banchi
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  4. Antonio Peruzzi
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  5. Letizia Centi
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  6. Luana Coppi
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  7. Mirella Bogi
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  9. Mariella Fantacci
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  10. Pietro Catalano
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Correspondence to Cristina Aprea.

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Aprea, C., Lunghini, L., Banchi, B. et al. Evaluation of inhaled and cutaneous doses of imidacloprid during stapling ornamental plants in tunnels or greenhouses. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 19, 555–569 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2008.50

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2008.50

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