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Monitoring, passive dosimetry and biomonitoring of operators’ exposure during agricultural application of triazole fungicides

Monitoring, passive dosimetry and biomonitoring of operators’ exposure during agricultural application of triazole fungicides

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.21, No 2, 2025

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2025.02.135

MONITORING, PASSIVE DOSIMETRY AND BIOMONITORING OF OPERATORS’ EXPOSURE DURING AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION OF TRIAZOLE FUNGICIDES

Demchenko V., Kofanov V., Zajets Ye., Makarchuk Ya., Kobzev S., Olszevsky S., Lytvynenko V., Kovalenko V., Dontsova D.

State Institution «Kundiiev Institute of Occupational Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine» Saksaganskogo str., 75, Kyiv, 01033, Ukraine

Full article (PDF), UKR

Introduction. Fungicides and bactericides rank second after herbicides in global pesticide use, accounting for 39% of sales. Triazole-based products represent 38.5% of this group. In Ukraine, triazole fungicides make up almost half of all registered agricultural fungicides and more than one third of seed dressings. Each year, new single-component and combined triazole formulations undergo pre-registration field trials, which include an obligatory assessment of operator exposure and occupational risk based on hygienic monitoring and passive dosimetry.

Aim of the research. To analyze methodological approaches and summarize our own experience in studying operator exposure to triazole fungicides in order to substantiate safe conditions for their agricultural use.

Materials and methods. The study covered triazole fungicidal preparations and their active substances. Operator exposure was assessed through hygienic monitoring of workplace air contamination, passive dosimetry (patches on protective clothing and washings from the skin surface), and biomonitoring on the basis of non-invasive tests of exposure (biological fluids - saliva and nasal mucosa). Analytical determination of fungicides was carried out using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) with thermioniс and electron capture detectors (GLC/TID, GLC/EC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array and UV detectors (HPLC/DMD, HPLC/UV), and GLC coupled with mass spectrometry (GLC–MS). All procedures complied with international requirements (SANTE/2020/12830, Rev.2, 14 February 2023).

Results. Chromatographic studies demonstrated that, in some cases, passive dosimetry (contamination of skin and protective clothing) and biomonitoring (fungicide residues in saliva and nasal mucosa) revealed operator exposure even when workplace air concentrations were below the quantitative detection limits of GLC and/or HPLC methods.

Conclusion. Comprehensive application of hygienic monitoring, passive dosimetry, and biomonitoring enabled the evaluation of different application technologies (boom, fan), estimation of absorbed doses via inhalation and dermal routes, and assessment of occupational risk. These findings were used to justify safe working conditions for the use of new single-component and combined triazole fungicides in agriculture.

Keywords: fungicides, triazoles, hygienic monitoring, high-performance liquid chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, passive dosimetry, biomonitoring, exposure, operator.

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