A research on the amount of pesti̇ci̇de residues on the tractor drivers in sprayer

Although chemical control practices against harmful organisms in plant production increase agricultural productivity, they carry risks in terms of human health, environment and natural life. It is known that tractor drivers have a low rate of calibration of sprayers and a low habit of using personal protective equipment. It is known that there are significant risks to the health of tractor drivers due to the abundance of cabless tractors and their use in pesticide applications. Determining the pesticide amounts that drivers are exposed to during pesticide application is important in terms of determining the measures that can be taken. This study was carried out to determine the amount of pesticide residues that drivers are exposed to in pesticide applications in a tractor without a cabin and a field sprayer. The driver's body is based on head (anterior-back), chest, back, arm and leg regions. Air induction nozzle (IDK 120-04) was used in the trials. The experiments were carried out at two different spray heights (50 and 70 cm) and two different spray pressure (5 and 7 bar) values in field conditions. Volume median diameter (VMD), surface coverage (%) and density of droplet (piece/cm2) were investigated in the head (anterior-back), chest, back, arm and leg regions of the tractor driver's body. Water sensitive papers were used to determine the volume median diameter, surface coverage and density of droplet, and the analyzes were made with the Image Tool for Windows V3 image processing program. Obtained results were evaluated by statistical analysis. In terms of volume median diameter value, the smallest value was obtained in applications where the spray height was 70 cm and the spray pressure was 7 bar, 44.20 µm in the arm, and the maximum value was 98.79 µm in the arm, the spray height was 70 cm and the spray pressure was 5 bar. In terms of surface coverage, the lowest, spray height in the chest area was 1.11%, where the spray height was 70 cm, and the highest, spray height in the arm was 4.87% in applications where the spray height was 50 cm and the spray pressure was 7 bar. In terms of density of droplet, the lowest 17.25 pieces/cm² spray height was obtained at 70 cm and the spray pressure was 7 bar, and the highest value was 51.25 pieces/cm² in the arm, where the spray height was 50 cm and the spray pressure was 7 bar. The highest volume median diameter, surface coverage and density of droplet values were obtained in the 86.53 µm arm, 3.87% leg, and 45.33 pieces/cm² chest, respectively, with in the turns. In the sampling areas considered as the target surface, the highest volume median diameter, surface coverage and density of droplet values were obtained as 307.305µm, 57.70% and 405.25pieces/cm², respectively.