Janis Stone

Farm Families' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Pesticide Application and Protective Clothing: A Five- State Comparison Part 1: Applicator Data

A survey offarm families in five states was conducted to determine attitudes and practices regarding pesticide application and protective clothing. Specific objectives included determining relationships among actual risk factors, perceived risk, and precautionary activities as well as identifying practices that needed modification in order to reduce risks associated with use ofpesticides. Some analyses suggested a positive relationship between actual and perceived risk measures whereas others did not. For example, the two states reporting the highest use ofmore toxic chemicals and greatest incidence of healthproblems related to pesticide application also accounted for the highest average ratings on the overall perceived health risk scale. On the other hand, the majority of growers in each state assumed that common work clothingprotected them from dermal exposure regardless ofthe formulation or application method they were using. Although most growers reported following recommended practices such as wearing gloves during pesticide application and storing pesticide-soiled clothing separatefrom other laundry, enough deviation occurred to indicate the need for continuing education on pesticide hazards.

Improving Knit Fabric UPF Using Consumer Laundry Products: A Comparison of Results Using Two Instruments

This study investigated the use of two instruments to measure the ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of T-shirt knit fabrics. After various laundering treatments, specimens were cut and UPF was measured from the wale, course, and bias directions with the ISO MET® UV-Meter and the Cary UV-Visible Spectrophotometer. Similar results were found between the two instruments and among repeated measures. Before UPF measurement, the shirt fabrics were repeatedly laundered using various household detergents and laundering additives commonly available to consumers. Statistically significant effects on the mean UPF values were found related to type of fabric, type of detergent/laundry additives, number of repeated launderings, and interaction effects of combinations of the three factors. Consumers can improve the UPF of their cotton and cotton-blend clothing by using detergents with brightener and/or products containing ultraviolet absorbers. Conclusions and implications for educators and apparel and textiles industry are provided.

Use of Engineering Controls and Personal Protective Equipment by Certified Pesticide Applicators

A convenience survey of 702 certified pesticide applicators was conducted in three states to assess the use of 16 types of engineering controls and 13 types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Results showed that 8 out of 16 engineering devices were adopted by more than 50% of the respondents. The type of crop, size of agricultural operation, and the type of pesticide application equipment were found to influence the adoption of engineering controls. Applicators working on large farms, users of boom and hydraulic sprayers, and growers of field crops were more likely to use engineering devices. Respondents reported a high level of PPE use, with chemical-resistant gloves showing the highest level of compliance. An increase in pesticide applicators wearing appropriate headgear was reported. The majority of respondents did not wear less PPE simply because they used engineering controls. Those who did modify their PPE choices when employing engineering controls used tractors with enclosed cabs and/or were vegetable growers.

Farm Families' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Pesticide Application and Protective Clothing: A Five-State Comparison

A survey of farm families in five states was conducted to determine current attitudes and practices regarding the removal of pesticides from contaminated clothing. There was little evidence that respondents to this survey have been obtaining available information regarding the care of pesticide contaminated clothing. Even when the launderers did receive such information, many did not adopt the recommended procedures with the exception of storing and washing pesticide contaminated clothing separately and using hot or warm water for washing. Families in which the launderer was under 30 in age were least likely to obtain and use recommended care procedures. The relatively low rate of information requisition and use, especially among younger respondents, suggests a need for better information delivery systems as well as more compelling appeals regarding the importance of using the information once it has been received.