THE RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN AGRICULTURE PRACTICES

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THE RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN AGRICULTURE
PRACTICES
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

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AREA OF INTEREST HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT ENVIRONM
ENTAL EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY ENVIRON
MENTAL 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 603-89466750 thanidza_at_fsas.upm.edu.my
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PESTICIDES

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

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EXPOSURE AT WORK
Although exposure to chemicals in agricultural
activities is difficult to avoid, the risk can
be reduced.
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WORK ACTIVITIES
All handling activities may pose a threat
mixing, applying, loading, equipment cleaning,
storage, transportation, disposal, and spills.
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HOW TO REDUCE RISK?
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)
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RISKS OF EXPOSURE
Handle mix Very high
Rinse containers Very high
Apply indoors Med- very high
Clean-up Med hi
Enter (48 hrs) Low-very high
Apply outdoors Low med
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ROUTES 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).

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EXPOSURE OCCURS WHEN CHEMICALS ARE REMOVED FROM
STORAGE AREAS

• CHEMICALS

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EXPOSURE OCCURS WHEN EMPTY BAGS/ CONTAINERS ARE
BURNED
SMOKE CONTAINS CHEMICALS
NO MASK
BARE HANDS
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80-85 OF EXPOSURE IS DURING MIXING
NO COVER
BARE HANDS
NO MASK
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.. AND LOADING CONCENTRATE
NO MASK
BARE HANDS
CHEMICALS
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FIELD APPLICATION 15-20 OF THE EXPOSURE
CHEMICAL MIST
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DERMAL EXPOSURE90-100 OF THE TOTAL EXPOSURE
(70 ON THE HANDS AND FOREARMS)
Chemical powder
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INHALATION 0.1 EXPOSURE

• DUST

POWDER INCREASES THE RISK OF EXPOSURE
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USE SAFER PHYSICAL FORMS AND PROPER PACKAGING
CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE?
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SOLUBLE BAGS CAN REDUCE EXPOSURE
minimize dermal contact
reduce dust
bag into tank
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PROPER METHODS OF PREPARATION
CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE?

• PUMPING/POUR LIQUID
• SOLUBLE BAGS
• AVOID MIXING POWDER INTO SLURRY
• CLOSED SYSTEM

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CAN WE MINIMIZE EXPOSURE?
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS (PPEs)

• WEARING PROPER PROTECTIVE CLOTHINGS REDUCES THE
  RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

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CHEM RESIST HOOD/WIDE BRIM HAT. CAPS (NOT ENOUGH
TO PROTECT FACE, NECK, AND EARS)
HEADGEAR
CHEM RESIST GLOVES not LTHR/CLOTH GLOVES RETAIN
RESIDUES
GLOVES
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EYES FACE COVER
GLASSESS/ GOGGLES
RESPIRATORS/ DUST MASK/
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BODY FOOT COVER
RUBBER/ PLASTIC SUITS/ APRONS
BOOTS / SHOES SOCKS /BOOTIES
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BODY COVER
DISPOSABLE COVERALLS
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MISUSE OF PPEs
NO GLASSES
NO HEAD COVER
NO MASK
NO SHOES SOCKS
NO GLOVES
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MISUSE OF PPEs
FRONT MUST BE COVERED
NO GLOVES
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CONCLUSION
Exposure to chemicals can be prevented or reduced
by using caution, common sense, good safety
habits, protective clothing and knowledge on
pesticide.