PESTICIDE EXPOSURE RISK ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN HERBICIDE APPLICATION

The aim of this study was to assess the occupational exposure for operator and worker by using risk indices in herbicide application in Adana, Turkey. The data of herbicides active ingredient (a.i.) related to applications in soybean, corn, cotton, and sunflower cultivation in Adana, 2014, were obtained by calculation of risk index (RI) and exceedence factor (EF) for operators and workers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and without PPE according to the Pesticide Occupational and Environment Risk Indices (POCER). In the result of this study, it was assessed that there were no maximum risk (EF<1) in soybean, corn, cotton, and sunflower cultivation for operators. It was determined that operators were under intermediate risk (60%), and low risk (40%). On the other hand, some a.i. have maximum risk for workers (60%). For workers, PPE was decreased 32% in maximum risk, 44% in intermediate risk and, yet, increased 24% in no risk. In this study, it was concluded that PPE has to be used for minimizing pesticide exposure on workers. It was found that PPE was important for workers in all herbicide applications.