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1999 ANNUAL REPORT OF COOPERATIVE REGIONAL PROJECTS
Supported by Allotments of the Regional Research Fund PROJECT: NC-170 Occupational Safety and Health Through the Use of Protective Clothing COOPERATIVE AGENCIES AND PRINCIPAL LEADERS:
PROGRESS OF THE WORK AND PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS Objective 1: To assess the viability
of various textile systems for hand Statistical Model Work toward development of a predicative, statistical model of pesticide penetration through PPE to the skin was continued on two fronts. The first approach focused on reviewing the literature, which suggested that textile and pesticide parameters impact transmission of liquid pesticides through textile materials. A basic concept for the model and parameters thought to be critical were elucidated. Textile parameters selected for examination are: solid volume fraction, pore size, and repellent finish. Pesticide formulation, viscosity, and surface tension of solution, were selected for the pesticide parameters. Extensive literature reviews were completed on: major pesticides used for US crops and fruits, pesticide formulations, surface tension and viscosity of pesticide solution, and pesticide penetration through fabrics. An experiment is planned for 1999-00 to test the basic concept. A proposal on Improving the Understanding of the Performance and Acceptance of PPE was developed by NC-170 researchers from New York, Maryland, Illinois and California. The proposal was submitted to NIOSH, but was denied funding. The second approach focused on conducting laboratory
work to obtain data on specific topics considered important for
the model. Maryland collaborated with researchers in Spain
and Germany to collect data using 3 methodologies to measure barrier
protection afforded by textile methods. Findings showed that
fabric performance was influenced by test method, thus, substantiating
the need for NC-170s work on Objective 4. Similarly, Maryland
studied method issues for determining Moisture Vapor Transmission
Rate (MVTR). Results of the study will be used by the Objective
1A researchers to select a method for measuring MVTR. Oklahoma and California conducted controlled laboratory tests to evaluate performance characteristics of structural and wildland fire fighter gear. California's study focused on wildland gear and included thermal mannequin tests conducted at the University of Alberta. Results indicated that two levels of fit did not result in significant differences in burn injuries, but significant differences were apparent for design of garment system with the prototype providing more protection. Controlled physiological evaluations were also conducted in California and Oklahoma laboratories. Each study examined the effect of environmental conditions and garment systems on subjects physiological and perceptual responses. A significant suit effect was found for skin temperature, heart rate and sweat rate for the Oklahoma study, with one structural fire fighter ensemble offering wearers less thermal stress. California found 2-layer systems were associated with higher heart rates, skin and core temperatures, and sweat rates. Some perceptual differences were significant by suit for both studies. Michigan and Iowa examined sun protective behaviors of different populations. Michigan assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of grade school children, their parents, and teenagers via a paper and on-line questionnaire. Since it is planned that the Internet will be used to disseminate educational materials, parents were asked questions about Internet access, use, information needs and concerns. Data analyses are ongoing. Iowa conducted a wear study to determine the opinions of pesticide applicators regarding hats available in the consumer market for UV and pesticide protection. Applicators wore the hats during fieldwork. Little pesticide residue was found on the hats, and the attitudinal data are being assessed. Oklahoma conducted a 1-month wear study to evaluate the effectiveness and perceived comfort of a prototype wrist splint as compared to subjects existing splints. The prototype splint increased grip strength for all subjects and was perceived as more comfortable. A larger study with a controlled group is warranted. The patent process has been initiated. Outreach goals related to NC-170 are to translate research, government policy, and protective clothing developments into multiple formats for ready dissemination to various publics. New York and Iowa continued their educational programs for agricultural workers, pesticide handlers, families, educators, and the general public on health and safety issues related to pesticides. Iowa's program included sun protection as well. A web site was established at Cornell University for the NC-170 Regional Research project. The address is: < http://txnc170.human.cornell.edu/>. The web site includes sections on: the NC-170 research project, NC-170 members publications related to the project, and consumer questions and answers. The site address was listed with search engines and various links are being established. Costs for establishment and maintenance of the web site are shared among the 7 states.
Objective 2: To assess the effects of environmental exposure, use and storage conditions on functional integrity of PPE for selected occupational settings. Illinois continued to evaluate the effect of exposure to chemicals, simulated sunlight (Xenon Arc irradiation), and freezing temperatures on pesticide barrier properties and functional integrity of multiple glove polymeric materials. The effects of abrasion on barrier properties of multiple PPE textile materials were determined against liquid pesticide retention and penetration. Iowa and Cornell NC-170 researchers and other Iowa State University researchers cooperated on the development of a NIOSH proposal to evaluate health-care worker glove protection during surgery and the effects of storage, chemicals, and disinfectants on the structural integrity of surgical gloves. The study was not funded but, a manuscript will be developed based on the extensive literature review. Iowa conducted a decontamination and cleanup study of 3 glove materials exposed to granular pesticides. Results suggest that the recommendation to rinse gloves before removing gloves from the hands reduces contamination of some materials. More work is needed to better understand the mechanisms at work. Objective 3: To evaluate policies, regulations and practices for environmentally sound disposal of PPE. Michigan delineated environmental and regulatory concerns of the lawn care industry by reviewing the trade literature. This information plus an earlier review of regulations and training manuals will be used for questionnaire development. California initiated work to compile state and federal regulations regarding disposal of used PPE, and to assess disposal practices of pesticide applicators. Objective 4: To propose standard methodology for industry-wide consensus standards for chemical protective clothing. New York, Maryland and Illinois researchers developed a standard test method entitled, Standard TestMethod to Measure Penetration of Liquid Pesticide Formulations through Protective Clothing Materials. Round robin tests were conducted at all three laboratories. The draft was revised and submitted to ASTM Committee F-23 for review and subsequent creation and approval of an ASTM Task Group composed of NC-170 researchers and other researchers. Further round robin tests at 5 to 6 independent laboratories are ongoing. Simultaneously, the draft ASTM test method was submitted to ISO (the European Standards Organization), while it is being evaluated and processed by ASTM Committee F-23.
USEFULNESS OF FINDINGS Fundamental research to understand the barrier potential, physical integrity and useful life of various protective clothing items is essential for making recommendations for appropriate selection, use, and care of PPE. Methodology studies and round robin testing are essential for the development and approval of ASTM test methods in order to screen PPE in a sound, reliable manner. Expansion of standard test methods to the international level is vital given worldwide use of pesticides. Better designed protective clothing holds the promise of increasing appropriate use of the protective clothing with improved health and safety as end products. Modifications of fire fighters jacket emblems to reduce flammability have already occurred based on the thermal mannequin study. The web site provides information on the newest NC-170
research to a broad spectra of Internet users. PPE information
also continues to reach thousands of certified pesticide applicators
via more traditional training WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR Development of the statistical model and corresponding laboratory studies in support of model development will continue. Similarly, studies focused on methodological issues and inter-laboratory tests in support of the ASTM test method approval process will continue. Wildland fire fighter prototype gear and UV protective headgear will be field tested in at least three states. Additional thermal mannequin testing is planned. Data on disposal practices and attitudes toward environmental issues will be collected. Extension programming on reducing risk of pesticide exposure of children and families will continue via a household survey and carpet study. A cross-cultural attitudinal study regarding sun exposure will be completed. Data analyses and manuscript writing will continue relative to all objectives. Enhancing and publicizing the NC-170 web site will continue, and UV-protection will be added to the Michigan 4-H web site.
PUBLICATIONS ISSUED OR MANUSCRIPTS APPROVED Refereed Publications by State California Sun, G., Yoo, S., Zhang, X.S., & Pan, N. (In press).
Radiant protective and transport properties of fabrics used by wildland
firefighters. Textile Research Journal. Illinois Raheel, M. & Dai, G.X. (1998). Characterization of bench-scale lyocell fibers produced from Illinois agricultural biomass. Proceedings of the Ninth CIMTEC-World Congress on New Materials, Florence, Italy. Iowa Stone, J. (1999). Hats for sun protection. Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 91(1), 86-91. New York Coffman, C.W., Obendorf, S.K., & Derksen, R.C. (1999). Derksen pesticide deposition on coveralls during vineyard applications. Archives of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology, 37, 273-279. Derksen, R.C., Coffman, C.W., Jiang, C. & Gulyas, S.W. (1999). Influence of hooded and air-assist vineyard applications on plant and worker protection. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 42, (1), 31-36.
California Submitted Articles (contd) Illinois Iowa Maryland New York Ukpabi, P. & Obendorf, S.K. (1999). Modified polyurethane for surgical gown applications. Seventh International Symposium on Performance of Protective Clothing: Issues & Priorities for the 21st Century, ASTM.
Oklahoma Morton, D. (1999). A comparative analysis of selected
heat stress variables associated with two types of turnout gear
ensembles. Unpublished masters thesis, Oklahoma State University,
Stillwater. Iowa Maryland In Print Abstract (contd) Michigan California Sun, G., Yoo, H. S., & Pan, N. (1999, June). Evaluation of Standard and Prototype Protective Garments for Wildland Firefighters. Presented at the Seventh International Symposium on Performance of Protective Clothing: Issues & Priorities for the 21st Century, Seattle, WA. Illinois Iowa Guo, C., Stone, J. F., Stahr, H. M., & Shelley, M. C. (1999, June). Reduction of Terbufos Tefluthrin Contamination in Glove Materials. Poster session presented at the Seventh International Symposium on Performance of Protective Clothing: Issues & Priorities for the 21st Century, Seattle, WA. Maryland Shaw, A., Nomula, R., & Patel, B. (1999, June).
Protective Clothing and Application Controls for Pesticide Applicators
in India: A Field Study. Presented at the Seventh International
Symposium on Performance of Protective clothing: Issues and Priorities
for the 21st Century, Seattle, WA. Slocum, A. C. (1999, May). The American lawn ideal. . .what does it have to do with the environment? Presentation made at the Society for Human Ecology, McGill University at Montreal, Canada. New York Coffman, C., (1999, January). Personal Protective Equipment. Presented at the NE Regional Turf & Grounds Conference, Albany, NY. Ukpabi, P. & Obendorf, S.K. (1999, June). Modified
Polyurethane for Surgical Gown Applications. Presented at the Seventh
International Symposium on Performance of Protective Clothing: Issues
and Priorities for the 21st Century, ASTM, Seattle, WA. Morton, D., & Branson, D. H. (1999, November). A comparative analysis of heat stress associated with selected turnout gear ensembles. Research presentation made to the ITAA Annual Conference, Santa Fe, NM.
New York New York Borsa, J., Racz, I., Obendorf, S. W., & Bodor, G.
(1999). Slight Carboxymethylation of Cellulose, Proceedings Advances
in wood Chemistry, International Symposium Honoring J.S. Gratzl,
University of Agricultural Sciences, Universitat far Bodenkultur,
Vienna, Austria, 5. California Extension Publications Iowa New York Media Work Iowa New York _______________________________
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