Protection afforded citrus pesticide applicators by coveralls

Four airblast applicators of the pesticides dicofol and ethion to Florida citrus were monitored for pesticide exposure with pads placed inside and outside two types of protective coveralls. Hand exposure was not assessed. Pesticide accumulated uniformly over the coveralls' outer surface at a mean rate of 55 ±6 mg/hr. The penetration of ethion through a reusable treated twill suit was 8 ±2% and through a disposable synthetic suit was 6 ±4%; corresponding values for dicofol were 4 ±1% and 1 ±0%, respectively. While these four penetration values could not be separated statistically at p<0.05, it is probable (p<0.20) that ethion was the better penetrator, and the disposable synthetic suit the better protector against dicofol.