study sponsored by the Center for Agricultural Business (CAB) this summer focused on a new method of protecting farmworkers from the effects of pesticides sprayed in the fields prior to fruit picking.

The experiment featured the use of a hand lotion formulated for its ability to protect the skin from absorption of chemicals.

While farm managers and growers typically take appropriate precautions in the application of farm chemicals, there remains a potential danger to anyone entering a field that has been treated with a pesticide, noted Michael Thomas, a professor in Fresno State's Department of Animal Science and Agricultural Education.

One common field task with potential for problems is fruit picking, where workers spend days in a field that may have been recently sprayed with a chemical meant to control pests or plant disease. Field workers rarely wear gloves in these situations.

"An appropriate method of skin protection for bare-handed workers has not been determined," Thomas noted. "Preventative measures, including respirators, occlusive gloves and protective clothing have not provided a complete answer to prevention of systemic problems," he said.

In an effort to resolve this problem, Thomas teamed with a toxicologist from University of California, Riverside, professor Robert Krieger, to test the hand lotion as a protectant for workers picking strawberries.

The lotion contains an inert polymer that has been shown to provide long-lasting protection to the skin surface. When properly applied, the polymer coating dries and resists intrusion by an assortment of chemicals. Prior tests by Thomas already have shown that the lotion, when combined with an antibacterial agent, serves as an effective bacteriocide with potential for use in the food service and medical industries.

Arrangements were made to test urine samples of a small group of workers before, during and after picking strawberries in a field that had been sprayed with malathion 7-10 days earlier. Malathion is commonly used to control pests that can damage the fruit as it becomes ready for harvest.

"It is known from previous work by Dr. Krieger that most internal malathion exposure is from skin contact with the leaves after spraying and it is known that the hand and wrist area is where the exposure occurs. Normally, small amounts of malathion are absorbed through the skin of the farmworkers," Thomas said.

The Fresno State tests involved about 20 workers and were conducted in strawberry fields in the coastal area. Some of the individuals worked as they normally do, without gloves or lotion. Others applied the hand lotion. The urine test results indicated a distinction.

"It appeared that less malathion was absorbed by workers who had applied the protective hand lotion one time in the morning before starting work," Thomas said.

The researchers emphasized that these were only the first tests. "Further studies on workers' hands are needed to determine the effectiveness of the product as a protecterant," he said. Plans are to expand trials in the spring of 1999 and to produce a more complete report after more statistically reliable results are obtained.

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CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE - CATI
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California State University, Fresno