Biological monitoring of exposure to organophosphorus insecticides by assay of urinary alkyl phosphates: influence of protective measures during manual operations with treated plants

Abstract

Biological monitoring was carried out by assaying urinary dimethylated alkylphosphates [dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), dimethylthio-phosphate (DMTP), and dimethylphosphate (DMP)] in 11 workers exposed to chlorpyrifos-methyl and azinphosmethyl during operations in a previously sprayed peach orchard. The subjects were divided into groups on the basis of the protective clothing worn. The results were compared with those of a reference group of 99 subjects not occupationally exposed to organophosphorus insecticides. The hand-wash liquid of the workers was also analyzed to evaluate skin contamination. Significantly higher levels of urinary excretion of alkylphosphates were found in all groups than in unexposed controls (Student's t test). A good correlation was found between quantities of the active ingredients on the hands and urinary excretion of total dimethylated alkylphosphates (r = 0.788) and of DMTP (r = 0.749) and DMP (r = 0.790) alone. The correlation between azinphos-methyl on the hands and urinary excretion of DMDTP was poor (r = 0.069). Under the working conditions investigated, the main route of absorption seems to be via the skin. Respiratory absorption, however, also appears significant in view of the difference in urinary excretion of dimethylated alkylphosphates found between subjects with and without face masks.

Urinary and hand wipe pesticide levels among farmers and nonfarmers in Iowa

“…However, regardless of the time since application, detection of atrazine in the hand wipes was significantly associated with urinary levels of atrazine above the median. Others have found positive correlations between pesticide hand exposure and urinary levels among greenhouse pesticide applicators and agricultural workers (Aprea et al, 1994;Tuomainen et al, 2002).…”

Measurement of dialkyl phosphate metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides in human urine using lyophilization with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and isotope dilution quantification

“…Since the 1970s, urinary dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites of OP pesticides have been quantified in human urine as a dosimeter for exposure and bodily adsorption of OP pesticides (Bradway and Shafik, 1977;Reid and Watts, 1981;Bardarov and Mitewa, 1989;Fenske and Leffingwell, 1989;Weisskopf and Seiber, 1989;Drevenkar et al, 1991;Aprea et al, 1994Aprea et al, , 1996aAprea et al, , b, 1999Aprea et al, , 2000Davies and Peterson, 1997;Loewenherz et al, 1997;Moate et al, 1999;Simcox et al, 1999. Fenske et al, 2000Hardt and Angerer, 2000;Heudorf and Angerer, 2001;Lu et al, 2001;Oglobline et al, 2001a, b;Bravo et al, 2002;CDC, 2002;Cocker et al, 2002;Garfitt et al, 2002a, b).…”

Human biomonitoring data collection from occupational exposure to pesticides

“…Occupational exposure to pesticides may vary in relation to crop, climate, microclimate, task, application method, personal protection equipment, clothing, and personal hygiene (Aprea, 1994;Cowell et al, 1994;Thomas et al, 2010;Aprea, 2012). During occupational exposure, pesticides are prevalently absorbed through the skin and airways, with the inhaled fraction (aerosol or vapours) being an order lower www.efsa.europa.eu/publications 21 EFSA Supporting publication 2017:EN-1185…”

“…Factors that influenced exposure in the study were identified as pesticide formulation, protective clothing/equipment, handling practice and personal hygiene. These factors have also been identified more generally as being important indicators for pesticide exposure (Aprea, 1994;Cowell et al, 1994;Thomas et al, 2010). A few job exposure or crop exposure matrices have been reported (Liew et al, 2014;Dick et al, 2010;London et al, 1998) but there is little validation of these against actual exposure data.…”