Dermal and Inhalation Exposure of Workers during Control of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) by Spray Applications

Roitzsch, Michael; Schäferhenrich, Anja; Baumgärtel, Anja; Ludwig-Fischer, Katrin; Hebisch, R.; Göen, Thomas

doi:10.1093/annweh/wxy108

Cited by 5 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…These readily detach and can either travel some distance through wind blow or linger in the caterpillar nests and around the base of the trees. Coming into contact with the hairs or inhaling them has the potential to cause dermatological, respiratory and ocular problems [23,24]. The range of indirect impacts managers need to consider are numerous.…”

Section: Distribution and Policy Response To Opm In Britainmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pests in the City: Managing Public Health Risks and Social Values in Response to Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) in the United Kingdom

Marzano¹,

Ambrose-Oji²,

Moseley³

2020

Forests

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Oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) or OPM was accidentally introduced into London on imported oak trees and now poses a threat to the future of oak in the urban landscape. Early attempts at eradication of the moth failed and significant resources have since been spent by government on monitoring and controlling OPM (through the use of insecticides or bio-pesticides) as it spreads into new areas. OPM is regulated in the UK to minimize risk of new introductions and reduce spread. Surveying for OPM and issuing of statutory notices for control is based on a geographical system of core, control and protected zones. While OPM will defoliate the trees leaving them vulnerable to other pests and diseases and stress factors, the caterpillars can also harm people and animals via tiny urticating hairs with the potential for dermatological or respiratory impacts. However, the biggest threat to the iconic British oak may be that the perceived risks associated with OPM, and costs of management may lead land managers to fell their oak trees, and not plant oak in the future. There is a need to better understand awareness, risk perceptions and decision-making around OPM management. We use a conceptual framework to explore decision-making and the trade-offs between the social, economic and ecological values associated with oak trees, and assessment of risk related to both the moth and control options. Twenty nine interviews were conducted in two London boroughs and across Greater London and in some surrounding counties covering a range of land types (e.g., parks, school grounds, amenity areas and private gardens) with infested or non-infested oak. We found a lack of evidence of human health impacts from OPM although land managers were concerned about public duty of care and potential reputational damage if they do not manage OPM. To address the challenges of dealing with OPM, land managers were taking a risk-based approach and managing OPM where it posed the highest potential risk to people. Respondents expressed strong emotional attachments to oak but it also has high biodiversity value which can lead to difficult decisions about management options. A risk-based approach moves beyond a 'one-size-fits-all' control method and focuses available resources where they are most needed and socially acceptable. An approach that allows for multiple values and perspectives on risk may provide a more sustainable long-term option for OPM management to ensure the future of oak in the city.importance of urban parks and greenspaces providing urban populations with economic, social and health and wellbeing benefits cannot therefore be underestimated. However, invasive tree pests and diseases are increasingly impacting natural resources and the benefits and services they provide. Research on the social dimensions of tree health has provided a range of insights into the risk perceptions, decision-making and behaviors of owners and managers of woodlands and forests [7][8][9]. Research suggests that biosecurity actions depend on: the r...

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Section: Distribution and Policy Response To Opm In Britainmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pests in the City: Managing Public Health Risks and Social Values in Response to Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) in the United Kingdom

Marzano¹,

Ambrose-Oji²,

Moseley³

2020

Forests

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“…Although several studies have assessed factors explaining urinary pesticide exposure concentrations in agricultural populations ( e.g., ( Rodríguez et al, 2006 )), few have compared pesticide concentrations in air with urinary pesticide metabolites to explore pathways of exposure ( Pirard et al, 2020 ). Some studies compared pesticides in air with personal ( Hamsan et al, 2017 ; Han, 2011 ; Lozier et al, 2013 ; Pirard et al, 2020 ) or environmental measurements ( Kawahara et al, 2005 ), and other studies evaluated dust, air, and/or urinary metabolites ( Hines et al, 2011 ; Raherison et al, 2019 ; Roitzsch et al, 2019 ; Smith et al, 2017 ; Tsakirakis et al, 2014 ; Weppner et al, 2006 ). Yet, few researchers have compared external with internal exposure measurements of pesticides in environmentally exposed populations living in agricultural regions ( Kim et al, 2013 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pyrimethanil and chlorpyrifos air concentrations and pregnant women’s urinary metabolites in the Infants’ Environmental Health Study (ISA), Costa Rica

Giffin

Hoppin

Córdoba

et al. 2022

Environment International

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“…PC is very common in pine woods so it is also named as Pine Processionary Moth of the Mediterranean area even if global warming on the other hand is increasing the spread of these insects with the possible occurrence of reactions also in other areas [ 8 ]. Furthermore, not only pines can be infested by processionary caterpillar but also other trees such as oaks in further northern areas than the Mediterranean [ 9 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Processionary caterpillar reactions in Southern Italy forestry workers: description of three cases

et al. 2021

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Background Processionary caterpillar (PC), also named Thaumatopea pityocampa, has been reported to cause hypersensitivity reactions after contact with a toxin contained in hair-like bristles which cover this insect. Occupational exposure to PC is underestimated in outdoor workers and especially in forestry workers (FW) and is globally diffusing because of rising temperatures. Cases presentation We present the first three cases of FW from Sicily, a Southern Italy (SI) region, which reported hypersensitivity reactions due to exposure to PC infested trees. These cases were identified by the occupational health physician during the annual screening of FW working in the Mountains of north-eastern Sicily. Interviewing a population of 630 FW, 1 male and 2 females reported direct contact skin reactions together with airborne contact reactions to PC hairs causing mild respiratory symptoms in two cases and ocular symptoms in one case, which needed treatment with systemic corticosteroids and antihistamines. Conclusions This is the first report of hypersensitivity reactions in SI FW due to occupational exposure to PC. Further screenings not only in FW but also in other populations of outdoor workers are needed in order to assess the real incidence of contact and airborne reactions due to occupational exposure to PC. Though so far no correlation has been found with atopy, it seems apparent that the reactions occur in susceptible subjects; further research is needed for a correct diagnosis and to identify possible desensitization procedures.

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Dermal and Inhalation Exposure of Workers during Control of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) by Spray Applications

Cited by 5 publications

References 1 publication

Pests in the City: Managing Public Health Risks and Social Values in Response to Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) in the United Kingdom

Pests in the City: Managing Public Health Risks and Social Values in Response to Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) in the United Kingdom

Pyrimethanil and chlorpyrifos air concentrations and pregnant women’s urinary metabolites in the Infants’ Environmental Health Study (ISA), Costa Rica

Processionary caterpillar reactions in Southern Italy forestry workers: description of three cases

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