Exposure of operators, workers, residents and bystanders in risk assessment for plant protection products calculator (Version 30MAR2015)

<p>The aim of exposure assessment in this context is to consider realistic and high exposure scenarios arising from the proposed Good Agricultural Practice for non-dietary systemic exposure that can be compared with appropriate toxicological reference values. The calculator can be used to assess exposures for operators (persons who are involved in activities relating to the application of a plant protection products (PPP), workers (persons who, as part of their employment, enter an area that has been treated previously with a PPP or who handle a crop that has been treated with a PPP), bystanders (persons who could be located within or directly adjacent to the area where PPP application or treatment is in process or has recently been completed) and residents (persons who live, work or attend school or any other institution adjacent to an area that is or has been treated with a PPP).<br> The Data Entry form requires information about the plant protection product, toxicological reference values and a description of the intended use. The operator exposure uses the AOEM model (Großkopf, 2012) and includes application techniques and scenarios for outdoor treatment of low and high crops, by vehicle-mounted/trailed or self-propelled sprayers or by hand-held spray guns and knapsack sprayers. 75th and 95th centile exposures are estimated for both mixing and loading and application and these can be modified by applying suitable combinations of PPE. An additional sheet allows the estimation of operator exposure for granular formulations based on the Pesticide Handlers Exposure Database (PHED, 1992). The worker worksheet estimates dermal and inhalation exposure for indoor and outdoor worker scenarios. The Transfer Coefficients for dermal exposure were modified from EUROPOEM II (2002) considering US EPA (2012) and for inhalation exposure Task Specific Factors are taken from van Hemmen et al., 2002. For resident and bystander exposure four pathways are considered; spray drift at time of application, vapour inhalation after application, surface deposits and entry into treated crops. Resident exposure considers a 24-hour duration of exposure and calculates 75th centile and mean exposure values, whereas bystander exposure considers a 2 hour duration of exposure with 95th centile values. A vehicle-mounted sprayer scenario is used for resident and bystander exposure assessment and users parameters from BREAM for arable crops and from Rautmann/Ganzelmeier for orchards. The exposure estimates for all four groups are summarised and presented in a report, which can be copied or printed.