abstract
- This field study was undertaken to quantitate the exposures of peach pickers to pesticide residues. Five fields were harvested each for three days at decreasing post-application intervals. Aerosol and dermal exposure estimates indicated 98-99% of the workers' dose was dermal, predominantly to the hands and upper extremities. Estimates of dose correlated with measurements of foliar residues. Despite estimated dose rates of up to 14 mg/hr, the RBC cholinesterase in these workers may have been only slightly inhibited (circa 4%) when compared to an unexposed, control population. Comparisons of these results with earlier studies of parathion residues on citrus indicate a consistent pattern of worker exposure. However, a concern is raised over the efficacy of using existing foliar residue sampling methodologies for all other pesticides.