EFFICIENCY OF SAFETY MEASURES APPLIED TO A MANUAL KNAPSACK SPRAYER FOR PARAQUAT APPLICATION TO MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS L.)

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the safety of mix er/loaders and applicators of paraquat to maize crop by knapsack spray ers and to determine the efficacy of safety measures applied to the sp rayers. Potential dermal exposure (PDE) was evaluated in 22 worker bod y parts. The Cu2+ cation of a copper-based fungicide was used as trace r in the spray solution. Sanitary pads and cotton gloves were used to collect the pesticide solution on the sampled body parts. It was obser ved that paraquat application in front of the applicator's body (0.5 a nd 1.0 m lance) is unsafe because PDE was 1,979.8 ml/day (for 0.5 m la nce) and 1,290.4 ml/day (for 1.0 m lance) and needs 50-80% and 37-69% control of PDE respectively. Control can be achieved by the use of pro tective garment on the legs and feet only, which received 92-93% of th e PDE. Switching the spray nozzle to the back of the operator reduced the PDE by 98% and was sufficient to make working conditions safe, whi le maintaining the efficiency of application and making the work light er and more comfortable. Mixer/loaders received 86% of the PDE to the hands and the work condition was safe (MOS > 1), however impermeable g loves could be used as a further safety measure.