Assessment of the Amount of Pesticide Residues on Sprayer Operators

Abstract

Chemical control practices for managing harmful organisms in plant production increase agricultural productivity. However, these practices pose risks to human health, the environment, and natural ecosystems. The lack of personal protective equipment and improper sprayer calibration during pesticide applications increases health risks for operators driving cabinless tractors. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the amount of pesticide residues to which drivers are exposed during pesticide application while operating a cabinless tractor pulling a sprayer. Pesticide residue measurements were taken from the head (front and back), chest, back, arms, and legs. The experiments were conducted under field conditions at two spray heights (50 cm and 70 cm) and two spray pressures (5 bar and 7 bar). Water sensitive papers were used to determine the volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density. The analyses were performed using the Image Tool for Windows V3 image processing software. The obtained results were evaluated through statistical analysis. Volume median diameter (µm), surface coverage (%) and droplet density (droplet/cm2) were assessed on different parts of the tractor driver’s body. In terms of volume median diameter, the minimum value of 44.20 µm was measured on the arm at a spray height of 70 cm and a pressure of 7 bar, while the maximum value of 98.79 µm was measured on the arm at 70 cm and 5 bar. Regarding surface coverage, the minimum value of 1.11% was measured on the chest at 70 cm, whereas the maximum value of 4.87% was recorded on the arm at 50 cm. In terms of droplet density, the minimum value of 17.25 droplets/cm² was measured on the arm at a spray height of 70 cm and a pressure of 7 bar, while the maximum value of 51.25 droplets/cm² was measured on the arm at 50 cm and 7 bar. Regarding the maximum values for volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density, 86.53 µm was recorded on the arm, 3.87% on the leg, and 45.33 droplets/cm2 on the chest, respectively. In the sampling areas considered as the target surfaces, the highest values of volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density were recorded as 307.31 µm, 57.70%, and 405.25 droplets/cm2, respectively.