OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO PERMETHRIN DURING ITS USE AS A PUBLIC HYGIENE INSECTICIDE

Permethrin is an active ingredient found in many public hygiene insect icide products and exposure to it was assessed in a survey of 45 profe ssional users. The exposures measured were over a wide range, with mor e than a 100-fold difference between average levels and the highest le vels. Dermal contamination was evident on 93% of the operators, the hi ghest contamination resulting from the use of leaking application equi pment, demonstrating that proper maintenance of equipment is vital. Wh ere the insecticide was applied at ground level most contamination was on the legs, indicating the importance of appropriate footwear. Conta mination of the hands occurred despite the use of protective gloves, h igher levels of contamination occurring when liquids were used. Dermal contamination was not always the principle route of exposure, and hig h airborne concentrations were linked with use in confined areas. Airb orne concentrations were also associated with the physical form of the product used and the treatment method. To help in assessing the effec tiveness of protective clothing and control measures, biological monit oring was carried out. Monitoring of metabolites in urine showed that systemic uptake occurred but evidence from toxicological studies indic ates that the levels found were well below those considered to cause h arm. Crown copyright (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.