ABSTRACT
The frequency and duration of exposure are the design considerations for evaluating the temporal patterns of exposure to pesticides. Factors as varying as application intensity, method of application, frequency, behavioural characteristics of the applicator, as well as physical, chemical, and biological properties of the pesticide formulation, influence temporal variability in exposure. The two primary methods employed for evaluating exposure to pesticides are passive dosimetry, which is the more commonly used method, and biological monitoring. Air sampling for occupational exposure to pesticides involves measuring concentrations of pesticides in the breathing zone of workers with a portable air sampling pump and a sampling train. Dermal exposure sampling methods fall into three general categories: surrogate skin techniques, chemical removal techniques, and fluorescent tracer techniques. Patch technique for quantitative exposure estimation assumes that there is uniform exposure in a portion of the body; however, this assumption becomes invalid under certain circumstances.
