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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-95-0248-2562, Dirty Bird, Inc., Grady, Arkansas.

Kiefer M; Lenhart SW; Tubbs RL; Mattorano D

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 95-0248-2562, 1996 Mar; :1-46

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1995-0248-2562.pdf

00237081

In response to a request from management at the Dirty Bird, Inc. (SIC-0721), Grady, Arkansas, an investigation was begun into worker exposure to pesticides during aerial application on cotton or rice. The company was an owner operated aerial pesticide application service with seven workers. Single engine, single seat closed cockpit aircraft were used for applications. Personal breathing zone air samples were collected to assess ground crew and aerial applicator exposure to pesticides. Three mixer loaders were studied to determine the potential for hand exposure. They wore cotton glove monitors beneath protective gloves. Surface wipe samples were collected. Personal noise monitoring was conducted on two pilots and three mixer/loaders. The findings indicated that inhalation exposures were low or less than detectable during this survey. Skin exposure studies found measurable quantities of pesticides underneath the gloves of the mixer/loaders. Contaminated personal protective equipment was noted as being reused without proper decontamination, resulting in additional exposure and a false sense of protection. Noise exposures exceeded the NIOSH recommended limit of 85 decibels-A. One heat stress measurement inside the cockpit also exceeded guidelines. The authors recommend that measures be taken to improve the safety during the use of pesticides, and a medical surveillance plan should be implemented.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-95-0248-2562; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-6; Agricultural-workers; Agricultural-chemicals; Skin-exposure; Occupational-exposure; Author Keywords: Crop Planting, Cultivating, and Protecting; aerial dusting and spraying; pesticide exposure; organophosphate; carbamate; pyrethroid; skin exposure; mixer-loader; pilot; noise; personal hearing protection; hearing conservation program; heat stress

19960301

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1996

PB97-187314

A04

HETA-95-0248-2562

DSHEFS

0721

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

AR; KS; OH