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Abstract: Five commercially available insect sprays were applied in a model room. Spraying was performed in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and in an overdosed manner in order to simulate worst-case conditions or an unforeseeable misuse. In addition, we examined electro-vaporizers. The Respicon™ aerosol monitoring system was applied to determine inhalation exposure. During normal spraying (10 seconds) and during the following 2–3 minutes, exposure concentrations ranged from 70 to 590μg/m3 for the pyrethroids tetramethrin, d-phenothrin, cyfluthrin, bioallethrin, and the pyrethrins. Calculated inhalable doses were 2–16μg. A concentration of approximately 850μg chlorpyrifos/m3 (inhalable dose: approximately 20μg) was determined when the “Contra insect fly spray” was applied. Highest exposure concentrations (1100–2100μg/m3) were measured for piperonyl butoxide (PBO), corresponding to an inhalation intake of 30–60μg. When simulating worst-case conditions, exposure concentrations of 200–3400μg/m3 and inhalable doses of 10–210μg were determined for the various active substances. Highest concentrations (4800–8000μg/m3) were measured for PBO (inhalable: 290–480μg). By applying the electro-vaporizer “Nexa Lotte” plug-in mosquito killer concentrations for d-allethrin were in the range of 5–12μg/m3 and 0.5–2μg/m3 for PBO while with the “Paral” plug-in mosquito killer concentrations of 0.4–5μg/m3 for pyrethrins and 1–7μg/m3 for PBO were measured. Potential dermal exposures were determined using exposure pads. Between 80 and 1000μg active substance (tetramethrin, phenothrin, cyfluthrin, bioallethrin, pyrethrins, chlorpyrifos) were deposited on the clothing of the total body surface area of the spray user. Highest levels (up to 3000μg) were determined for PBO. Worst-case uses of the sprays led to 5–9 times higher concentrations. Also a 2-hour stay nearby an operating electro-vaporizer led to a contamination of the clothing (total amounts on the whole body were 450μg d-allethrin and 50μg PBO for “Nexa Lotte” plug-in mosquito killer and 80μg pyrethrins and 190μg PBO for “Paral” plug-in mosquito killer). Human biomonitoring data revealed urine concentrations of the metabolite (E)-trans-chrysanthemum dicarboxylic acid ((E)-trans-CDCA) between 1.7μg/l and 7.1μg/l after 5 minutes of exposure to the different sprays. Also the use of electro-vaporizers led to (E)-trans-CDCA concentrations in the urine in the range of 1.0μg/l to 6.2μg/l (1–3 hours exposure period). The exposure data presented can be used for performing human risk assessment when these biocidal products were applied indoors. The airborne concentrations of the non-volatile active chemical compounds could be predicted from first principles using a deterministic exposure model (SprayExpo). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new “pre-embarkation” method for aircraft disinsection was investigated using two different 2% d-phenothrin containing aerosols. Five experiments in aircrafts of the type Airbus 310 (4×) and Boeing 747–400 (1×) were performed. In the absence of passengers and crew the d-phenothrin aerosol was sprayed under the seat rows and in a second step at the height of approximately 1.60m by moving from one end of the cabin to the other. Concentration levels of d-phenothrin were determined at different time periods after application of the aerosol spray. In a B 747–400 with the air conditioning system operating the concentrations ranged between 853 and 1753μg/m3 during and till 5min after the beginning of spraying at different locations in the cabin. Within 5–20min after the end of the spraying concentrations of 36–205μg/m3 and 20–40min thereafter only ca. 1μg d-phenothrin/m3 were detectable (average values in relation to each period of measurement). On cabin interior surfaces the median values for mainly horizontal areas ranged from 100 to 1160ng d-phenothrin/cm2. d-Phenothrin concentrations in the air were sufficient to kill flying insects like house flies and mosquitoes within 20min. Horizontal surfaces were 100% effective against insects up to 24h after spraying. Doses inhaled by sprayers determined by personal measurements were calculated to be 30–235μg d-phenothrin per 100g spray applied (30% in the respirable fraction for Arrow Aircraft Disinsectant; 10% for Aircraft Disinsectant Denka). If passengers will board, e.g., 20min after the end of the disinsection operation, inhalation exposure is estimated to be practically negligible. Also possible dermal exposure from residues in seats and headrests is very low for passengers during the flight. Therefore any health effects for passengers and crew members are very unlikely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Exposure measurements were carried out in parked aircrafts during and after application of a biocide aerosol spray (simulated in-flight spraying). The aerosol product SRA spray (Standard Reference Aerosol Spray) was used for spraying. Concentrations of the pyrethrins – the active ingredients – in the air of the passenger cabin (airborne particles, measured during spray application and 40 minutes afterwards) varied from 11 to 65 μg/m3; those of the synergist piperonyl butoxide were 200 – 485 μg/m3. The concentrations on surfaces of the cabin furniture differed widely. Low concentrations were determined on surfaces in vertical positions (median values: pyrethrins ≤2 ng/cm2; piperonyl butoxide ≤17 ng/cm2), while under seats, on seats and on headrests the concentrations were up to 55.5 ng/cm2 for pyrethrins and 1162.5 ng/cm2 for piperonyl butoxide (median values). The inhaled doses for sprayers (using 100 g of spray) and persons sitting in the passenger cabin were calculated to be 17 μg for pyrethrins and 200 μg for piperonyl butoxide (maximum values). Maximum total external body doses for the applicators during spraying were 830 μg for pyrethrins and 8840 μg for piperonyl butoxide. The potential dermal dose for persons sitting in the passenger cabin was about a factor of two lower. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Data on inhalational and potential dermal exposures during spray application of liquid biocidal products were generated. On the one hand, model experiments with different spraying devices using fluorescent tracers were carried out to investigate the influence of parameters relevant to the exposure (e.g. spraying equipment, nozzle size, direction of application). On the other hand, measurements were performed at selected workplaces (during disinfection operations in food and feed areas; pest control operations for private, public and veterinary hygiene; wood protection and antifouling applications) after application of biocidal products such as Empire 20, Responsar SC, Omexan-forte, Actellic, Perma-forte; Fendona SC, Pyrethrum mist; CBM 8, Aldekol Des 03, TAD CID, Basileum, Basilit. The measurements taken in the model rooms demonstrated dependence of the inhalation exposure on the type of spraying device used, in the following order: “spraying with low pressure”<“airless spraying”<“fogging” indicating that the particle diameter of the released spray droplets is the most important parameter. In addition inhalation exposure was lowest when the spraying direction was downward. Also for the potential dermal exposure, the spraying direction was of particular importance: overhead spraying caused the highest contamination of body surfaces. The data of inhalational and potential dermal exposures gained through workplace measurements showed considerable variation. During spraying procedures with low-pressure equipments, dose rates of active substances inhaled by the operators ranged from 7 to 230μg active substance (a.s.)/h. An increase in inhaled dose rates (6–33mga.s./h) was observed after use of high application volumes/time unit during wood protection applications indoors. Spraying in the veterinary sector using medium-pressure sprayers led to inhaled dose rates between 2 and 24mga.s./h. The highest inhaled dose rates were measured during fogging (114mga.s./h) and after-high-pressure applications in the antifouling sector (110–300mga.s./h). The potential dermal exposure of spray operators was lowest (dose rates from 0.2 to 7mga.s./h) in the areas of food and feed disinfection and private and public hygiene during spraying with low-pressure devices. During fogging, wood protection and antifouling applications, high-potential dermal exposures of the operators were determined. Dermal dose rates varied between 100 and 34,000mga.s./h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]