Thesis
Evaluation of two pesticide samplers & exposure assessment of Iowa pesticide applicators
University of Iowa
Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
Spring 2023
DOI: 10.25820/etd.007055
Abstract
Chronic exposure to pesticides has been associated with numerous adverse health effects including cancer, cognitive impairment, and endocrine system disruption. Because of their occupations, pesticide applicators may be at higher risk of illness from pesticide exposure.
Due to their semi-volatile nature, pesticides can exist both as particles and gases (vapors) in the air. Many pesticides have been assigned an inhalable fraction and vapor (IFV) endnote by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), indicating a need to sample for both their particle and vapor phases. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) methods recommend the OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS) when sampling for both phases simultaneously (NIOHS Method 5600 & 5601; OSHA Method 62 & 63). Unlike the OVS, the IFV Pro (SKC Inc) was designed to be an inhalable sampler and has been identified in one study to have a higher mass collection efficiency than the OVS in a laboratory setting (Alex et al., 2021).
The aims of this study were to: 1) assess the particle and dual-phase relative efficiencies of the OVS and IFV Pro in a simulated and real-world pesticide spraying operation; and 2) perform an exposure assessment of pesticide applicators from three Iowa companies. It was hypothesized that the IFV Pro would sample higher particle and vapor mass concentrations than the OVS and that participating pesticide applicators would not be exposed to significant levels of pesticide. Under the conditions in which the two samplers were compared in this study, results indicate an insignificant difference in the particle-phase collection efficiencies between the OVS (M=5.80 mg/m3, SD=1.77) and IFV Pro (M=5.56 mg/m3, SD=1.55) (t=1.48, p=0.11). Descriptive statistics did not prove that the OVS and IFV Pro relative dual-phase sampling efficiencies were different under the same conditions. Six applicators in this study experienced low exposure to glyphosate, dicamba, and MCPA herbicides. Exposure monitoring results indicate that the subjects are not at an increased risk of pesticide-induced illness and disease. Further research should assess the influence of directional drafts and other environmental conditions on the OVS, IFV Pro, and pesticide applicator exposure. Additional efforts should also be made to standardize an analysis method for the IFV Pro.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Evaluation of two pesticide samplers & exposure assessment of Iowa pesticide applicators
- Creators
- Spencer O Baker
- Contributors
- Patrick T O'Shaughnessy (Advisor)T Renée Anthony (Committee Member)Thomas M Peters (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Date degree season
- Spring 2023
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.007055
- Number of pages
- xii, 66 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2023 Spencer O Baker
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 04/24/2023
- Date approved
- 05/10/2023
- Description illustrations
- illustrations (chiefly color), tables, graphs
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 45-51).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
- Chronic exposure to pesticides has been associated with numerous adverse health effects including cancer, cognitive impairment, and endocrine system disruption. Because of their occupations, pesticide applicators may be at higher risk of illness from pesticide exposure. Due to their evaporative nature, pesticides can exist both as particles and gases (vapors) in the air. Many pesticides have been assigned an inhalable fraction and vapor (IFV) endnote by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), indicating a need to sample for both their particle and vapor phases. Industry standards recommend the OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS) when sampling for both phases simultaneously. Unlike the OVS, the IFV Pro (SKC Inc.) was designed to be an inhalable sampler and has been identified in one study to have a higher collection efficiency than the OVS in a laboratory setting (Alex et al., 2021). This study aimed to: 1) assess the particle and dual-phase sampling characteristics of the OVS and IFV Pro in a simulated and real-world pesticide spraying operation; and 2) perform an exposure assessment of pesticide applicators from three Iowa companies to evaluate their occupational exposure. It was hypothesized that the IFV Pro would sample higher particle and vapor mass concentrations than the OVS and that participating pesticide applicators would not be exposed to significant levels above the pesticide. Under the conditions in which the two samplers were compared in this study, results indicate an insignificant difference in the particle-phase collection efficiencies between the OVS (M=5.80 mg/m3, SD=1.77) and IFV Pro (M=5.56 mg/m3, SD=1.55) (t=1.48, p=0.11). Descriptive statistics did not prove that the OVS and IFV Pro relative dual-phase sampling efficiencies were different under the same conditions. Six applicators in this study experienced low exposure to three different herbicides. Exposure monitoring results indicate that the subjects are not at an increased risk of pesticide-induced illness and disease. Further research should assess the influence of directional drafts and other environmental conditions on the OVS, IFV Pro, and pesticide applicator exposure. Additional efforts should also be made to standardize an analysis method for the IFV Pro.
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984425390402771
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