Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Plant Protection Products (PPP) used in the horticulture industry can be both chemical and biological. They are used for weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides), and fungi (fungicides) and as growth retarders.
Many horticulture workers get in touch with plants, treated with PPPs and many of these don’t use any protective equipment.
The aim of this project is to illustrate the work environment hazards for staff working with greenhouse pot plants, after they have been sprayed.
The method used was observations of the operations for packing plants. I studied the operations and took notes of how operations were performed and what protective equipment they used. I also took photos and asked questions.
A literature study completed the observations. It was concentrated on possibilities to reduce the risks to be exposed to pesticide residues.
Some of the risk factors noted were that without protective gloves, the workers got in direct contact with soil, flowers and leaves. Some persons wiped off their wet hands on the T-shirt and in some cases unprotected arms got in contact with leaves.

Conclusions made are for instance the following:

• A recommended protective equipment (gloves, sleeve protectors and apron) prevent a direct skin-contact to plants with possible residues.

• It is hard to decide how big the hazards are and which effect it makes on humans. It depends on many factors as degradation rate, how much it has been sprayed, the toxicity of the PPP, what protective equipment you use, how much you get in contact with surfaces that are treated and how sensitive you are to different preparations.

• If you use the recommended protective equipment combined with better knowledge about degradation time the risks are regarded to be rather low.