Worker exposure to plant protection products (PPPs) in the framework of the BROWSE project Kim Doan Ngoc Pieter Spanoghe Ghent University International Conference on Integrated Fruit Production 7-12 October 2012, Turkey

The BROWSE project BROWSE = Bystanders, Residents, Operators and WorkerS Exposure models for plant protection products Start project: January 2011 End project: December 2013 Info: Partners:

Goals of BROWSE To develop improved exposure models to assess the risks from exposure to plant protection products (PPPs) for: –Operators (WP1) –Workers (WP2) –Bystanders and residents (WP3)

Goals of BROWSE To take account of relevant gender issues (WP4) To involve representatives of all relevant stakeholders and end-users (WP4) To contribute to the implementation of: –Regulation 1107/2009 on authorisation of PPPs (WP5) –Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) (WP6)

IPM and exposure exposure

Priority exposure scenarios Exposure scenario = combination of crop and task OUTDOORINDOOR Harvesting orchard fruit Harvesting grapes Harvesting ornamentals Harvesting fruiting vegetables

Exposure routes hand-to-mouth contact

Dermal exposure: basic model DE = DFR x TC x T DFR Dislodgeable Foliar Residue (µg/cm²) TC Transfer coefficient (cm²/h) T Duration of Exposure (h/d)

Dermal exposure: basic model DFR Dislodgeable Foliar Residue DE Dermal exposure TC = DE (µg/h)/DFR (µg/cm²) Transfer coefficient

Dermal exposure: example Task: harvesting Crop: pears Body parts making contact: upper body Normal clothing: t-shirt and jeans PPE: none

Dermal exposure: example Example: harvesting pears Head: bare skin Upper arms and torso: t-shirt Lower arms: bare skin Hands: bare skin Upper legs: no contact Lower legs: no contact No contact with crop Bare skin Covered by clothing Covered by PPE Covered by clothing and PPE

Dermal exposure: example Example: harvesting pears Model should take into account: 1)Exposed body parts 2)Clothing and PPE coverage 3)Clothing and PPE penetration factors

Inhalation exposure IE = AirC t x BR x T (x PF RPE ) AirC t = concentration in air at re-entry (µg/m³) BR = breathing rate (m³/h) T = duration of exposure (h/d) PF RPE = penetration factor (%)

Worker mechanistic model

BROWSE & sustainable use of PPPs Use new exposure models to develop:  training and awareness-training material  risk-indicators for worker exposure application re-entry day 1day 0 re-entry day 3 Demonstrate the effect of the use of PPE on exposure Show the importance of establishing an appropriate re-entry interval EXAMPLES FOR WORKERS

Thank you for your attention. Any questions?