Exposures of aerial spray workers to parathion

E. D. Richter, B. Cohen, M. Luria, J. Schoenberg, E. Weisenberg, M. Gordon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

A recent increase in the crash rate of crop-dusting planes prompted an investigation into the air and skin exposures to parathion aerosols and vapors of agricultural pilots and ground crews employed by a large active Israeli aerial spray service. The pilots' daily work load includes exposures to heat, noise, vibration, gravitational forces and various pesticides. Pilot symptoms, such as transient muscle weakness, blurred vision and fatigue, led to concern that low-level parathion exposures, in combination with other hazards, were impairing pilot skill and performance, although cholinesterase changes might not occur. Air samples were collected with personal samplers, skin exposure was assessed with wetted filter paper and analyses were by chromatography. Cockpit air exposures exceeded the threshold limit value (100 μg/m 3) in 7 of 12 cases where the sampling period was shorter than 30 min and in 2 of 19 instances when it was longer. Personal skin and stationary air sampling indicated a predominant role for the dermal route in producing parathion absorption at levels frequently exceeding the acceptable daily intake (0.005 mg/kg body weight) among ground crew workers. Observations suggested that environmental and personal control measures for airstrip loading and landing sites and for aircraft and pilots and ground crews could reduce the risk of parathion exposure and of other apparent hazards (heat stress, dehydration).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)96-100
Number of pages5
JournalIsrael Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume16
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1980

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