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Field evaluation of protective equipment
for pesticide appliers
in a tropical climate
G. Chester,1 A.V. Adam,2 A. Inkmann-Koch,3 M.H. Litchfield,4
R. Sabapathy1 and C.P. Tuiman4
11C1 Agrochemicals, Fernhurst, Haslemere, Surrey, UK; 2Food and Agriculture
Organization, Rome, Italy; 3Bayer AG, Monheim, Germany;
4Shell International Petroleum, The Hague, Netherlands
To provide practical advice and information on personal protection used
during pesticide application in tropical climates, a field study was conducted
in Thailand. Items assessed included protective garments worn by
workers mixing and loading the organophosphorous insecticide methamidophos
and by sprayers applying the diluted formulation for several
hours per day to a cotton crop using knapsack sprayers. Garments made
of various materials were assessed for their acceptability to the workers,
their comfort and durability, and the degree of protection they offered.
Tyvek garments proved to be uncomfortable under tropical conditions.
Kleenguard and cotton garments 'were acceptable to the workers; cotton
proved more durable and comfortable over 6 days of use. Nitrile gloves
and face shields worn by the mixerloaders were also found to be suitable
under field conditions. The effective use of protective equipment must go
hand in hand with safe handling practices and good personal hygiene.
The heat and humidity in tropical countries often make it difficult for farmers
to wear recommended protective clothing when handling and applying pesticides.
They either suffer excessive heat discomfort when wearing such
equipment or remove it to work more comfortably, thus risking increased
exposure. To improve this situation, the Groupement international des associations
nationales de fabricants de produits agrochimiques (GIFAP) and the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) undertook a field evaluation of
personal protective equipment in Thailand (Working Group 1989). This paper
describes the study and its findings.
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