Minimizing occupational exposure to pesticides: Repellency and penetrability of treated textiles to pesticide sprays

It is known that pesticide intoxication in agricultural workers is probably the result of excessive dermal exposure to pesticides. Poisonings can occur in applicators from spillage and in field workers due to contamination of clothing by drift and residue (Southwicket al. 1975). Absorption through the skin is perhaps the most important mode of entry of the pesticide into the body during spray applications. Wolfe (1973) found that over 97% of the pesticide to which the body is subjected during possible exposure situations is deposited on the skin.