The aim of present study was to evaluate the dermal exposure of pesticide applicator, during spraying in grapes crop, with 4 different sprayers. The equipments utilized were a typical semi-stationery sprayer, a boom sprayer adapted with a semi-circulate boom with the nozzle returned upward, an airblast sprayer utilized in coffee crop with turbine system adapted for grapes and a original airblast sprayer for grapes (KO, model Jales), regulated by the workers. For assessment of potential dermal exposure (PDE) of spray man, 22 sampling pads were attached to body parts of spray man applying a solution containing 3000 ppm of Cu+2 during 35 to 40 min. Copper was extracted and quantified in laboratory and the exposure was calculated considering the original concentration of the spray solution. The semi-stationery sprayer provided largest PDE, followed by the adapted boom sprayer, adapted airblast and original airblast sprayer. The carrier percentage reaching the spray man body in the same period of time was more than 89 times higher for semi-stationery when compared with the original airblast and the adapted boom and 44 times higher compared to the adapted airblast sprayer. The most exposed areas of the spray man body were the hands, head and back for sprayers adapted to tractor, and PDE was high in practically all the areas of the body with the semi-stationery equipment. Aspects of PDE related to equipment and the form of their use are discussed.
pesticides; sprayer; dermal exposure; grapes
