Hygienic assessment of working conditions under use of anilinopyrimidine fungicide

Introduction. An assortment of fungicides in agriculture is constantly being updated due to creating new highly effective but moderately toxic pesticide formulations that minimize the risks for those working with them. The study aimed to research working conditions and assess the risk for workers during the application of pyrimethanil-based plant protection products in agriculture using various technologies.

Materials and methods. Working conditions when using preparations based on pyrimethanil separately or in a mixture (pyrimethanil+fluopyram) in field conditions: during ground boom spraying of field crops; air blast spraying of horticultural crops; knapsack spraying of sheltered ground tomato (greenhouse), field and horticultural crops in individual subsidiary plots (PSP). Air samples of the working area were gathered in the breathing zone of those working with pesticides (operators and users) using PU-4E aspiration devices coupled with filters. Before and after work, swab samples were taken from common areas of the operator’s and user’s skin, and pyrimethanil and fluopyram were identified in air and swab samples. Total risk for the complex (inhalation and dermal) exposure (SFsum) was calculated by summing the safety factors of pesticide inhalation (SFinh) and dermal (SFd) income of pesticides (MU 1.2.3017-12). The absorbed dose risk (SFab) was determined by the ratio of the absorbed exposure dose of pesticides and the permissible daily exposure level for the operator (PDELO, mg/kg) and the acceptable daily intake (ADI, mg/kg bw).

Results. The established safety factors when assessing the complex effect of pyrimethanil by exposure (SFexp – 0.08-0.11) and by absorbed dose (SFad – 0.002-0.007) allow considering the health risks for workers and consumers as permissible, subject to strict adherence to regulations and safety measures. 

Conclusion. The obtained results are the basis for recommending pyrimethanil-based formulations for use in agricultural production in Russia.

Contribution:

Rakitskii V.N. — approval of the final version of the manuscript.

Antipova V.I. — concept and design of the study, conduction of the study, primary data acquisition, statistical data analysis, writing of the manuscript, editing, approval of the final version of the manuscript, responsible for all of the sections of the manuscript.

Masaltsev G.V. — conduction of the study, primary data acquisition, writing of some sections of the manuscript, editing.

Approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article — all co-authors.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship.