PEST-CONTROL
PESTICIDES

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO PERMETHRIN DURING ITS USE AS A PUBLIC HYGIENE INSECTICIDE

A survey of occupational permethrin (CAS number 52645531) exposures during nonagricultural applications was performed among 45 professional insecticide applicators selected from among the personnel of private pest control companies and local government pest control services who applied permethrin using typical insecticide application techniques and equipment. A variety of permethrin formulations and preparations were used. Breathing zone samples were collected and analyzed for permethrin to assess inhalation exposure during application operations. Absorbent pads were pinned or taped to the operators' clothing to collect samples for evaluating dermal exposure. Hand contamination was assessed by collecting samples on thin cotton gloves placed under protective gloves. Biological monitoring to assess systemic exposure was performed by collecting pre, mid, and post shift urine samples which were analyzed for the permethrin metabolites cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-carboxylic acid (cis-DVCA), trans-DVCA, and 3-phenoxybenzoic-acid (3PBA). Permethrin was detected at concentrations of 0.007 to 237 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) in 53% of the breathing zone samples. Inhalation exposure occurred more frequently when dustable powders were used compared to liquid formulations. The highest breathing zone exposures occurred when permethrin was applied in confined spaces. Dermal exposure was detected in 93% of the operations. Most (83%) of the dermal exposures were to the legs, reflecting the fact that most of the jobs involved ground level work. The amounts of permethrin collected on thigh and ankle pads ranged up to 15.9 and 149 milligrams (mg), respectively. Contamination of the hands was also detected. The amounts of permethrin collected on the cotton gloves typically ranged up to 1.283mg. Hand contamination occurred more frequently when liquid formulations were applied. cis-DVCA, trans-DVCA, and 3PBA were detected in most of the urine samples. More that 90% of the metabolite concentrations were below 10 nanomoles per millimole creatinine. The authors conclude that operator exposure almost always occurs during normal use of permethrin. The type and degree of exposure depend on the type of product and specific application technique used.

Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 40(5):499-509, 1996. (9 references)

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