New Insights into Occupational Exposure and Risk Assessment of Nanopesticides and Conventional Pesticides for Agricultural Workers

Abstract

Quantifying dermal and inhalation exposure to nanopesticides is essential for risk assessment and management. This study investigated the potential dermal and inhalation exposures characteristics of applying nanopesticides in wheat fields and assessed the associated occupational health risks for workers exposed to nanopesticides. The mean recoveries of the established analytical methods ranged from 70% to 104%, the relative standard deviations ranged from 1.6 to 11.2%, and the limits of quantification were 1 μg/kg. The total dermal (and inhalation) exposures were as follows: 6153.192 ± 2006.998 μg (0.001 ± 0.001 μg), 3337.832 ± 464.828 μg (<0.001 μg), 5117.742 ± 1174.357 μg (0.003 ± 0.002 μg), and 4351.127 ± 527.835 μg (0.001 μg) when spraying different tebuconazole formulations including suspension concentrate, nanoemulsion, nanocapsules, and microcapsules, respectively. The exposure of spraying nanopesticides was generally not significantly different from that of conventional pesticide formulations. The thighs exhibited the highest exposure among workers during operation, so protective measures for the operator’s legs should be strengthened. The operator is recommended to wear long clothes and pants and prefer back-to-wind moving backward for spraying operations to minimize exposure. All risk quotients were less than 1, indicating that the occupational health risks associated with spraying tebuconazole nanopesticides and conventional formulations under poor, moderate, and better protection precautions remain acceptable. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for the safe use and risk management of nanopesticides.