Assessment of human exposure to pesticides in greenhouses and effectiveness of personal protective devices

The exposure to pesticides in a group of workers growing vegetables in greenhouses in farms near Rimini in Italy was evaluated. The pesticides used were organophosphorus compounds, organochlorine compounds, carbamates, pyrethroids, amide and anilide derivatives. Measurements were carried out in seven greenhouses randomly selected. The environment was free of atmospheric agents which could have influenced the pesticide concentrations in the indoor air. Two types of chemical sampling were performed: environmental and personal. The latter was done in the liquid for washing hands and by means of pads applied directly to the worker's skin and to the clothes. The aim of the determination of airborne pesticide concentrations was to evaluate mean environmental exposure to pesticides in the sprayed areas. The sampling went on from a fixed point during the entire spraying period. The aim of individual sampling was to determine the active ingredients as contaminants. The values obtained showed a risk of exposure for the greenhouse personnel working without using personal protective devices (masks, gloves and waterproof clothes), considering that pesticides could be absorbed through the skin in between the spraying intervals.