Hygienic assessment of conditions of application of florasulam-based pesticides in agriculture

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive assessment of risks to human health and the environment associated with the use of herbicide florasulam in agricultural production in Russia. The study was conducted using the data of toxicological studies, which allowed to determine the potential hazard of exposure to florasulam on the human body. To assess the risk of exposure to operators engaged in the process of cultivation of agricultural land, the absorbed dose (Kp) was calculated. This calculation took into account the different routes of entry of the herbicide into the body, such as inhalation and dermal. In addition, the concentration of florasulam in the atmospheric air in the vicinity of the treated fields was analysed and the herbicide content on the skin of the operators was determined. The assessment of risks for operators was detailed taking into account the actual conditions of herbicide application, including the type of equipment used, duration of work and efficiency of personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The results of the study showed that if the technological regulations of herbicide application, developed taking into account the safety requirements, and the mandatory use of recommended personal protective equipment, the health risk for workers in contact with florasulam is assessed as acceptable and is within the established hygienic standards. Conducted field trials, during which florasulam was used in the recommended rate of consumption (0.5-0.75 litres/ha), confirmed the absence of exceeding the established sanitary norms for. Based on the results of the analysis, it is concluded that it is possible to recommend the use of herbicide based on florasulam in agricultural practice in the Russian Federation, provided that the precautions and control over compliance with technological regulations, which allows to ensure minimum risks to the health of workers.