The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional fit of commercially available protective gloves recommended to agricultural workers and to investigate the effect of polymer type, thickness of glove materials, and glove shape on such fit. The study was conducted in two parts. First the hand dimensions of the user population were estimated by conducting an anthropometric survey of 380 agricultural workers. This was followed by a fit evaluation of four test gloves by 38 farmers whose hand dimensions were representative of the user population. Fit was assessed by subjective evaluations of 15 specific hand dimensions for each glove and by conducting two standardized dexterity tests with participants bare-handed and wearing each of the four gloves. Significant differences in fit were found among gloves differing in polymer type, thickness and shape. Thinner gloves made from flexible polymers gave the most acceptable fit. Major design and sizing problems were identified for each of the four gloves. Gloves that fit snugly and enabled participants to complete dexterity tests at a rate comparable to bare hands received the highest subjective fit ratings. To enable agricultural workers to achieve optimum performance while completing fine manipulative tasks, the fit of gloves, especially in the fingers, must be improved.

The purpose of this study was to understand better the behavior of grain farmers toward the use of disposable protective coveralls by measuring beliefs, attitudes, and other components of the Fishbein-Ajzen theory of reasoned action and determining relationships among these components. The results indicate that most of the farmers believe that wearing disposable coveralls would provide the best method of protection and a more secure feeling about pesticide use. Respondents believe important referents such as their spouses will likely suggest that disposable coveralls should be worn while applying pesticides. Overall, farmers have positive attitudes and behavioral intentions. Pearson correlations and regression analyses indicate significant relationships among all components of the model. Attitude and subjective norm together provide considerable influence on behavioral intention with attitude being the stronger component. Thus the Fishbein-Ajzen model was applied effectively to the behavior of wearing disposable protective coveralls.

Research on reducing the level of pesticide residue on a textile substrate has examined many variables under many different conditions. This study controlled fiber type and the use of prewash product in an examination of residue levels for a number of pesticides in different pesticide classes. For all pesticides examined, the use of prewash lowered pesticide residues regardless of fiber type. Differences in pesticide residue level attributable to fiber type were not consistent.

No abstract

Many agricultural workers wear disposable nonwoven coveralls while applying pesticides in the field. The degree of protection these garments offer after abrasive wear has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of abrasion on the penetration of a liquid pesticide, tri-allate, through selected disposable garment fabrics: Kleenguard® EP and Tyvek®. The relationship between the initial thickness and the initial mass of the fabric specimens and pesticide penetration also was examined to determine the effect of initial fabric variability on penetration. Penetration of tri-allate through the two fabrics differed statistically although total penetration was less than 1 % for both fabrics. Abrasion simulating one day's wearing resulted in a statistically significant increase in penetration through Kleenguard® EP but had no effect on penetration through Tyvek®. Initial mean thickness correlated with the penetration of tri-allate for Tyvek® at all three levels of abrasion and for unabraded Kleenguard® EP, but there was no correlation between initial mean thickness and pesticide penetration on abraded Kleenguard® EP specimens. Abrasion was a greater determinant of the rate of pesticide penetration than initial variability in thickness for Kleenguard® EP; initial variability in thickness remained a significant factor in pesticide penetration even after abrasion for Tyvek®. Initial mass did not correlate with pesticide penetration for either fabric.Research on protective clothing for pesticide applicators has focused on two aspects: (a) determination of