THE RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN AGRICULTURE PRACTICES

To characterize the risk associated with agricultural chemicals To identify the routes of exposure To minimize chemical exposure LEARNING OBJECTIVES

AREA OF INTEREST: HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY COURSES TAUGHT: ENV HEALTH PRINCIPLES OF CHEM IN ENV SCIENCE PRINCIPLES OF BIO IN ENV SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY TENGKU HANIDZA ISMAIL DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

All pesticides are biologically active. If handled incorrectly or carelessly, they can be dangerous to human. PESTICIDES

Although exposure to chemicals in agricultural activities is difficult to avoid, the risk can be reduced. EXPOSURE AT WORK

All handling activities may pose a threat: mixing, applying, loading, equipment cleaning, storage, transportation, disposal, and spills. WORK ACTIVITIES

Three important areas when it comes to reducing risk:(1) proper storage and disposal (2) proper handling procedures and (3) proper use of personal protection equipment (PPE) HOW TO REDUCE RISK?

Handle & mixVery high Rinse containers Very high Apply indoorsMed- very high Clean-upMed – hi Enter (48 hrs)Low-very high Apply outdoorsLow – med RISKS OF EXPOSURE

Chemicals enter the body through: Inhalation of spray vapors/droplets; unbroken skin; wounds (cuts, grazes); oral ingestion (by mouth with food, drink or cigarettes). ROUTES OF EXPOSURE

EXPOSURE OCCURS WHEN CHEMICALS ARE REMOVED FROM STORAGE AREAS CHEMICALS

EXPOSURE OCCURS WHEN EMPTY BAGS/ CONTAINERS ARE BURNED SMOKE CONTAINS CHEMICALS BARE HANDS NO MASK

80-85% OF EXPOSURE IS DURING MIXING … BARE HANDS NO COVER NO MASK

….. AND LOADING CONCENTRATE CHEMICALS BARE HANDS NO MASK

FIELD APPLICATION : % OF THE EXPOSURE CHEMICAL MIST

Chemical powder DERMAL EXPOSURE:90-100% OF THE TOTAL EXPOSURE (70% ON THE HANDS AND FOREARMS)

INHALATION: 0.1% EXPOSURE DUST POWDER INCREASES THE RISK OF EXPOSURE

USE SAFER PHYSICAL FORMS AND PROPER PACKAGING CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE?

reduce dust minimize dermal contact bag into tank SOLUBLE BAGS CAN REDUCE EXPOSURE

PUMPING/POUR LIQUID SOLUBLE BAGS AVOID MIXING POWDER INTO SLURRY CLOSED SYSTEM PROPER METHODS OF PREPARATION CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE?

WEARING PROPER PROTECTIVE CLOTHINGS REDUCES THE RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE? PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS (PPEs)

CHEM RESIST HOOD/WIDE BRIM HAT. CAPS (NOT ENOUGH TO PROTECT FACE, NECK, AND EARS) CHEM RESIST GLOVES not LTHR/CLOTH GLOVES : RETAIN RESIDUES GLOVES HEADGEAR

EYES & FACE COVER RESPIRATORS/ DUST MASK/ GLASSESS/ GOGGLES

RUBBER/ PLASTIC SUITS/ APRONS BODY & FOOT COVER BOOTS / SHOES & SOCKS /BOOTIES

DISPOSABLE COVERALLS BODY COVER

MISUSE OF PPEs NO HEAD COVER NO GLOVES NO SHOES & SOCKS NO GLASSES NO MASK

FRONT MUST BE COVERED MISUSE OF PPEs NO GLOVES

Exposure to chemicals can be prevented or reduced by using caution, common sense, good safety habits, protective clothing and knowledge on pesticide. CONCLUSION