Permethrin: An assessment of human exposure during the spray application to military uniforms
Abstract No:
1733
Abstract Type:
Student Poster
Authors:
L Jensen1, N Schaal2, A Stubner1
Institutions:
1USUHS, Bethesda, MD, 2U.S. Navy, Dayton, OH
Presenter:
MAJ Lynnea Jensen
USUHS
USUHS
Faculty Advisor(s):
Nicholas Schaal, Ph.D., CIH, CSP
U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy
Dr Alex Stubner, Ph.D., CIH
USUHS
USUHS
Description:
A Freedom of Information Act question was submitted to the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center concerning permethrin exposure to individuals performing uniform spray treatments. Upon review of the literature, a determination was made that a comprehensive exposure assessment to permethrin among the potentially exposed population, particularly the people assigned to assist the applicator (working party), during the field treatment of uniforms had not been conducted.
Concentrated permethrin is handled by the applicators, who are trained personnel. The applicators are required to wear personal protective equipment. The working party is not required to have the same training or protective equipment. The potentially exposed population during a field uniform spray event typically includes the applicator and working party and is possible through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal routes.
Concentrated permethrin is handled by the applicators, who are trained personnel. The applicators are required to wear personal protective equipment. The working party is not required to have the same training or protective equipment. The potentially exposed population during a field uniform spray event typically includes the applicator and working party and is possible through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal routes.
Situation/Problem:
The objective of this study is to conduct a multi-route exposure assessment for permethrin during the field treatment of uniforms with 40% permethrin using a backpack sprayer and AG sprayer for personnel serving as applicators and working party
Research Question #1: Using dermal patch sampling and dosimeter gloves (pairs), what is the dermal exposure to permethrin?
Research Question #2: What is the measure of absorbed pesticides in the urine resulting from exposure via all routes during field uniform spray treatment using 40% permethrin?
Research Question #3: How do ambient environmental conditions affect the dispersion of permethrin in the vicinity of uniform spray application of permethrin?
Research Question #4: What is the difference in dermal exposure to permethrin in the vicinity of spray applications between the use of the backpack sprayer versus the AG sprayer?
Research Question #5: What is the difference in dispersion of permethrin in the vicinity of spray applications between the use of the backpack sprayer and AG sprayer?
Research Question #1: Using dermal patch sampling and dosimeter gloves (pairs), what is the dermal exposure to permethrin?
Research Question #2: What is the measure of absorbed pesticides in the urine resulting from exposure via all routes during field uniform spray treatment using 40% permethrin?
Research Question #3: How do ambient environmental conditions affect the dispersion of permethrin in the vicinity of uniform spray application of permethrin?
Research Question #4: What is the difference in dermal exposure to permethrin in the vicinity of spray applications between the use of the backpack sprayer versus the AG sprayer?
Research Question #5: What is the difference in dispersion of permethrin in the vicinity of spray applications between the use of the backpack sprayer and AG sprayer?
Methods:
Measurement of permethrin concentrations in the air was done by actively drawing air onto adsorbent sampling media using OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS-2) tubes and an air pump according to OSHA method 70. The sampling rate was set at 1.0 L/min on the sampling pumps, calibrated before sampling to within 5% of the flowrate, and calibrated again after sampling to ensure the accuracy and reliability.
Florida Latham Bonds (FLB) rotating impactors were used. One-inch glass slides with a Magnesium Oxide (MgO) coating on one side were mounted on a horizontal plane in a vertical position, that rotates at a velocity of 5.6 meters per second (m/sec). The velocity of movement by the FLB was higher than the wind encountered in the field during spraying, eliminating the effects of wind speed. Collection of droplets with the impactors function under the principle that a small collection surface rotated at high speeds will produce capture efficiencies to capture droplets and demonstrate airborne concentrations effectively.
Potential dermal exposures were measured using dosimeter gloves and patch sampling. Patches were made from alpha-cellulose paper and backed with aluminum foil. The aluminum foil backing prevented permethrin from being held against the skin of a study participant as well as prevented the paper from absorbing sweat from the study participant.
A dermal patch was placed on each person's right forearm with a 4 by 4 in collection area. If the individual wore long-sleeves, the patch was fixed on top of the clothing in the same location. Before uniform treatment, patches were affixed to each person, then collected upon completion of each sampling iteration.
The second method used to sample potential dermal exposure to permethrin during a uniform spray event was 100% cotton, 200 g/m2 fabric weight dosimeter gloves that were worn by study participants over their protective gloves to determine potential exposure. The dosimeter gloves remained on participants for the entire iteration, even when not actively engaged in touching uniforms or handling permethrin. All dosimeter gloves were collected at the end of each iteration.
In this study, the urinary metabolites cis- and trans-DCCA were measured in urine to determine the absorption of the pesticide into the body following exposure. Peak excretion of urinary metabolites is estimated between 3-4 hours after exposure, with most of the concentration being metabolized within 24 hours after exposure. Spot urine samples from each study participant were collected to establish a baseline before spraying. Additional samples were collected after spraying was complete and again between 12-24 hours after spraying was complete to document the absorbed permethrin.
Florida Latham Bonds (FLB) rotating impactors were used. One-inch glass slides with a Magnesium Oxide (MgO) coating on one side were mounted on a horizontal plane in a vertical position, that rotates at a velocity of 5.6 meters per second (m/sec). The velocity of movement by the FLB was higher than the wind encountered in the field during spraying, eliminating the effects of wind speed. Collection of droplets with the impactors function under the principle that a small collection surface rotated at high speeds will produce capture efficiencies to capture droplets and demonstrate airborne concentrations effectively.
Potential dermal exposures were measured using dosimeter gloves and patch sampling. Patches were made from alpha-cellulose paper and backed with aluminum foil. The aluminum foil backing prevented permethrin from being held against the skin of a study participant as well as prevented the paper from absorbing sweat from the study participant.
A dermal patch was placed on each person's right forearm with a 4 by 4 in collection area. If the individual wore long-sleeves, the patch was fixed on top of the clothing in the same location. Before uniform treatment, patches were affixed to each person, then collected upon completion of each sampling iteration.
The second method used to sample potential dermal exposure to permethrin during a uniform spray event was 100% cotton, 200 g/m2 fabric weight dosimeter gloves that were worn by study participants over their protective gloves to determine potential exposure. The dosimeter gloves remained on participants for the entire iteration, even when not actively engaged in touching uniforms or handling permethrin. All dosimeter gloves were collected at the end of each iteration.
In this study, the urinary metabolites cis- and trans-DCCA were measured in urine to determine the absorption of the pesticide into the body following exposure. Peak excretion of urinary metabolites is estimated between 3-4 hours after exposure, with most of the concentration being metabolized within 24 hours after exposure. Spot urine samples from each study participant were collected to establish a baseline before spraying. Additional samples were collected after spraying was complete and again between 12-24 hours after spraying was complete to document the absorbed permethrin.
Results / Conclusions:
Results Pending. Expected completion by May 2020
Primary Topic:
Sampling and Analysis
Co-Authors
Please add your co-authors below. Co-authors are listed for professional courtesy and will not be communicated with regarding the decision notification or any on-site logistics, if accepted. Only the primary presenter listed is expected to attend and present the content on-site.
(1) Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health
Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD, 20814
(2) Environmental Health Effects Laboratory, Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton, 2728 Q Street, Bldg
837, Area B, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-5707
Acknowledgements and References
List any additional people who worked on the project or provided guidance and support along with details on the role they played in the research. (Please include first name, last name, organization, city, state and country).
Deployed Warfighter Program of the Armed Forces Pest Management Board (Grant Agreement PMB.19.286), without which, this research would not have been possible
Uniformed Servies University of the Health Sciences (R0871070) intramural funding
Sorana Raiciulescu from the Biostatistics Consulting Center at Uniformed Services University, for her patience and many hours of assistance.
Dr. Sean Moran from the Biomedical Instrumentation Center at Uniformed Services University. Your willingness to work through a new process and patience for my questions is appreciated.
Dr. Kimberly Terneus-Fischer, the Lab Director at the Comprehensive Industrial Hygiene Laboratory- Norfolk. Thank you for your guidance and assistance!
For my research advisor, Dr. Stubner, for your conversations with Jake, from State Farm and for asking the questions that I did not know to ask!