PROTECTION AFFORDED GREENHOUSE PESTICIDE APPLICATORS BY COVERALLS - AFIELD-TEST

Applicators of chlorpyrifos, fluvalinate, and ethazol to ornamentals i n a Florida greenhouse were monitored for exposure in a replicated exp eriment. Pesticide exposure was assessed, using pads placed inside and outside three types of protective coveralls. Potential total body acc umulation rates, excluding hands, as calculated from outside pads, dep ended strongly upon the rate at which pesticide left the spray nozzles . When these total body rates were normalized for spray rate, the mean results, in mg-deposited/kg-sprayed, ranged from 166 to 1126, dependi ng upon the compound applied and the application device. Overall penet ration of pesticide through a disposable synthetic coverall was 3 +/- 1% for chlorpyrifos and fluvalinate, and 35 +/- 9% for ethazol. Penetr ation through a reusable treated twill coverall was 19 +/- 6% for chlo rpyrifos, 22 +/- 13% for fluvalinate, and 38 +/- 5% for ethazol.