Modelling of Operator Exposure

Abstract

The methodologies are reviewed for predicting exposure to pesticides of agricultural operators, in the context of pre-registration risk assessment, with specific focus on the European registration. Exposure modelling allows predictions of exposure doses, which may be used in risk assessment for decision-making. Relevant targets for risk assessment are mixers, loaders, applicators, workers and bystanders. Risk can be described as a ratio between predicted dose and acceptable dose (AOEL), within a three-tiered approach. Exposure determinants during mixing/loading and application activities are discussed in the text. The skin is the main route of uptake of pesticides. The levels of exposure are relatively independent on the specific chemical properties of the substance, while mostly vary with the physical type of the formulation, use pattern and degree of personal protection. Generic exposure databases are collections of exposure data developed to predict, through mathematical calculations, exposure levels for typical scenarios of exposure. Generic databases are discussed in the text, which were developed in North America (PHED), UK (POEM), Germany, The Netherlands. EUROPOEM is a new promising tool, under development in Europe, which will allow evaluations at the European scale, and subsetting of exposure scenarios typical of different countries.