Publication: Paraquat exposure of backpack sprayers in agricultural area in Thailand
3
Issued Date
2019-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
15497860
10807039
10807039
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85074782712
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. (2019)
Suggested Citation
Pajaree Konthonbut, Pornpimol Kongtip, Noppanun Nankongnab, Mathuros Tipayamongkholgul, Witaya Yoosook, Susan Woskie Paraquat exposure of backpack sprayers in agricultural area in Thailand. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. (2019). doi:10.1080/10807039.2019.1684187 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/50935
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Paraquat exposure of backpack sprayers in agricultural area in Thailand
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
© 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Thai agriculturists heavily used paraquat in agricultural areas to control weed and grasses. This study determined paraquat exposure among backpack sprayers in Thailand and identified determinants of occupational exposure. Breathing zone air and dermal samples were collected from 57 backpack sprayers while spraying. Spot urine samples were collected on the day before spraying, end of spraying event and the next day after spraying. The subjects were interviewed about general demographics, agricultural activities, pesticide application and personal protective equipment used while applying paraquat. Paraquat concentrations in urine samples, air samples and dermal samples were determined by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. The median IQR of urinary paraquat concentrations on the day before spraying, end of spraying event, the next day after spraying were 2.51 (0.81–5.59), 8.23 (3.3–13.73) and 3.48 (1.03–8.19) µg/g creatinine, respectively. Concentrations of air samples and total dermal exposures were 5.15 (2.28–10.12) µg/m3 and 92.66 (34.37–1647.46) µg/hr, respectively. Use of battery powered backpack sprayer and standing upwind effectively reduced inhalation exposures. Wearing a long sleeve shirt, long pants, boots, latex gloves and balaclava could reduce paraquat concentration on dermal exposure among backpack sprayers.