Pesticide Exposure of Operators from Drone Application: A Field Study with Comparative Analysis to Handheld Data from Exposure Models
Christian J. Kuster, Maxie Kohler, Sarah Hovinga, Christian Timmermann, Georg Hamacher, Kathrin Buerling, Lirong Chen, Nicola J. Hewitt, Thomas Anft
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Operator exposures to pesticides of mixer/loaders (M&L) and pilots during drone application in a typical paddy rice field were measured using a tracer formulation. Median potential dermal exposures to M&L and pilot operators were 9.886 and 0.400 mg substance/kg substance handled, respectively, indicating that operator exposure was mainly during M&L (with 73% detected on the operator’s hands). M&L operator exposure was reduced by 21% by wearing one layer of certified clothing (to 7.817 mg/kg), and by a further 98% by also using Tyvec gloves (to 0.173 mg/kg). Potential and actual exposures of drone pilots were 0.400 and 0.012 mg/kg, respectively. When 75th percentiles were compared to those from publicly available handheld exposure models recommended for regulatory purposes, the use of drones for application resulted in an exposure reduction of 90–99%. In conclusion, compared to handheld spray equipment, the use of drones for pesticide application significantly reduces the operator exposure.