Hygienic Characteristics of the Working Conditions in Agricultural Aviation and Body Functions in the Operators.

Agricultural aviation operators are responsible for maintenance of the aircraft and its equipment and for pesticide charging. Chronometric studies evidence that the working day of an operator lasts for 13 h on an average. Very-low-capacity spraying involves use of concentrated pesticide solutions. Air butapon concentrations at worksites were found to be 0. 12-0. 32, those of octapon, 0. 27-0. 45 mg/m**3. The levels of the pesticides in washings off hands were 0. 00012 mg/cm**2 (for 2,4-DA), 0. 00045 mg/cm**2 (for butapon), and 0. 00042 mg/cm**2 (for octapon). Studies of some physiologic reactions have shown the most manifest shifts to occur in thermoregulation and liver functions. Analysis of morbidity rates among agricultural aviation and transport aviation maintenance operators has shown a higher incidence of diseases of the respiratory organs (1. 5-fold), of osteomuscular system, and the connective tissue (3-fold), of the skin and subcutaneous fat (2. 5-fold) in the former.