Abstract
Eleven farmers were monitored for dermal and respiratory exposure to terbufos [phosphorodithioic acid, S-(tert-butylthio) methyl O,O-diethyl ester] during a typical working day while planting corn and applying COUNTER® 15-G systemic insecticide-nematicide. The average estimated dermal exposure was 72 Μg/hr while the estimated respiratory exposure was 11 Μg/hr. The results of urinary alkyl phosphate analyses were all negative showing no detectable absorption of terbufos. Plasma and red blood cell cholinesterase values of exposed farmers showed no significant difference in activity when compared to either preexposure or control values indicating no adverse physiological effects from the exposure. Based on these results, the use of COUNTER 15-G does not present a significant hazard, in terms of acute toxicity, to farmers using this product for the control of corn insects.
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Devine, J.M., Kinoshita, G.B., Peterson, R.P. et al. Farm worker exposure to terbufos [phosphorodithioic acid, S-(tert-butylthio) methylO,O-diethyl ester] during planting operations of corn. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 15, 113–119 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055256
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055256