Journals / Black Sea Journal of Agriculture / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 5

Assesment of the Amount of Pesticide Residues on Sprayer Operators

Özbay Akkaş(Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Amasya Provincial Directorate and Forestry)0000-0003-2077-0507
Hüseyin Duran(ONDOKUZMAYIS ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-2740-8941
Pages
636–645
Publication Date
2025-09-15
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In the sampling areas considered as the target surfaces, the highest values of volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density were recorded as 307.31 µm, 57.70%, and 405.25 droplets/cm2, respectively.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Chemical control practices for managing harmful organisms in plant production increase agricultural productivity.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The lack of personal protective equipment and improper sprayer calibration during pesticide applications increases health risks for operators driving cabinless tractors.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:In the sampling areas considered as the target surfaces, the highest values of volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density were recorded as 307.31 µm, 57.70%, and 405.25 droplets/cm2, respectively.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Surface coverage · Volume median diameter · Droplet density

Abstract

Chemical control practices for managing harmful organisms in plant production increase agricultural productivity. However, these practices pose risks to human health, the environment, and natural ecosystems. The lack of personal protective equipment and improper sprayer calibration during pesticide applications increases health risks for operators driving cabinless tractors. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the amount of pesticide residues to which drivers are exposed during pesticide application while operating a cabinless tractor pulling a sprayer. Pesticide residue measurements were taken from the head (front and back), chest, back, arms, and legs. The experiments were conducted under field conditions at two spray heights (50 cm and 70 cm) and two spray pressures (5 bar and 7 bar). Water sensitive papers were used to determine the volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density. The analyses were performed using the Image Tool for Windows V3 image processing software. The obtained results were evaluated through statistical analysis. Volume median diameter (µm), surface coverage (%) and droplet density (droplet/cm2) were assessed on different parts of the tractor driver’s body. In terms of volume median diameter, the minimum value of 44.20 µm was measured on the arm at a spray height of 70 cm and a pressure of 7 bar, while the maximum value of 98.79 µm was measured on the arm at 70 cm and 5 bar. Regarding surface coverage, the minimum value of 1.11% was measured on the chest at 70 cm, whereas the maximum value of 4.87% was recorded on the arm at 50 cm. In terms of droplet density, the minimum value of 17.25 droplets/cm² was measured on the arm at a spray height of 70 cm and a pressure of 7 bar, while the maximum value of 51.25 droplets/cm² was measured on the arm at 50 cm and 7 bar. Regarding the maximum values for volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density, 86.53 µm was recorded on the arm, 3.87% on the leg, and 45.33 droplets/cm2 on the chest, respectively. In the sampling areas considered as the target surfaces, the highest values of volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density were recorded as 307.31 µm, 57.70%, and 405.25 droplets/cm2, respectively.

Özet

Chemical control practices for managing harmful organisms in plant production increase agricultural productivity. However, these practices pose risks to human health, the environment, and natural ecosystems. The lack of personal protective equipment and improper sprayer calibration during pesticide applications increases health risks for operators driving cabinless tractors. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the amount of pesticide residues to which drivers are exposed during pesticide application while operating a cabinless tractor pulling a sprayer. Pesticide residue measurements were taken from the head (front and back), chest, back, arms, and legs. The experiments were conducted under field conditions at two spray heights (50 cm and 70 cm) and two spray pressures (5 bar and 7 bar). Water sensitive papers were used to determine the volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density. The analyses were performed using the Image Tool for Windows V3 image processing software. The obtained results were evaluated through statistical analysis. Volume median diameter (µm), surface coverage (%) and droplet density (droplet/cm2) were assessed on different parts of the tractor driver’s body. In terms of volume median diameter, the minimum value of 44.20 µm was measured on the arm at a spray height of 70 cm and a pressure of 7 bar, while the maximum value of 98.79 µm was measured on the arm at 70 cm and 5 bar. Regarding surface coverage, the minimum value of 1.11% was measured on the chest at 70 cm, whereas the maximum value of 4.87% was recorded on the arm at 50 cm. In terms of droplet density, the minimum value of 17.25 droplets/cm² was measured on the arm at a spray height of 70 cm and a pressure of 7 bar, while the maximum value of 51.25 droplets/cm² was measured on the arm at 50 cm and 7 bar. Regarding the maximum values for volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density, 86.53 µm was recorded on the arm, 3.87% on the leg, and 45.33 droplets/cm2 on the chest, respectively. In the sampling areas considered as the target surfaces, the highest values of volume median diameter, surface coverage, and droplet density were recorded as 307.31 µm, 57.70%, and 405.25 droplets/cm2, respectively.

🔖

Cite This Article

Akkaş, Ö., Duran, H. (2025). Assesment of the Amount of Pesticide Residues on Sprayer Operators. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 5, 636–645. https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1714997

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (32)

  1. Açık N. 2018. Püskürtme memelerinin düşük hacimde yüzey kaplama ve damla dağılım düzgünlüğü açısından karşılaştırılması. Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Erciyes Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Kayseri, Türkiye pp: 71.
  2. Akkaş Ö. 2023. Pülverizatörlerde traktör sürücüsü üzerinde pestisit kalıntısı miktarı üzerine bir araştırma. Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi, Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü, Tarım Makinaları ve Teknolojileri Mühendisliği Ana Bilim Dalı, Samsun, Türkiye pp: 66.
  3. Balsari P. 2021. Sprayer cleaning: importance and phases. Aspects Appl Biol, 143: 9-15
  4. Cerruto E, Manetto G, Santoro F, Pascuzzi S. 2018. Operator dermal exposure to pesticides in tomato and strawberry greenhouses from hand-held sprayers. Sustainability, 10: 2273
  5. Coffman CW, Obendorf SK, Derksen RC. 1999. Pesticide deposition on coveralls during vineyard applications. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
  6. Collantes R, Salcedo R, Armengol E, Schlosser JF, Gil E. 2024. ENVISPRAY: A methodology to evaluate PAE (pesticide application equipment) according to the environmental risk. Agronomy, 14(3): 561
  7. Çelen İH. 2013. Tarımsal mücadelede püskürtme memeleri. Toprak Ofset, Tekirdağ, Türkiye pp: 111
  8. Duran H, Çilingir İ, Yurtlu YB. 2013. Pülverizasyonda lazer ve leke yönteminde damla çap değerlerinin karşılaştırılması. 1. Bitki Koruma Ürünleri ve Makineleri Kongresi, Antalya, 2-5 Nisan 2013
  9. Duran H. 2012. Fındık kurdu [Curculio nucum (L.)]’nda ilaç uygulama etkinliğinin iyileştirilmesi. Doktora Tezi, Ankara Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Tarım Makinaları Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye pp: 130
  10. FAO. 2022. Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/site (accessed date: October 10, 2022)
  11. Glenda GS, Dominik S, Claudia RB. 2011. The weight method: A new screening method for estimating pesticide deposition from knapsack sprayers in developing countries. Chemosphere, 82(11): 1571-1577
  12. Güler H, Zhu H, Ozkan HE, Derksen RC, Yu Y, Krause CR. 2006. Spray characteristics and wind tunnel evaluation of drift reduction potential with air induction and conventional flat fan nozzle. In: 2006 ASAE Annual Meeting, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, pp: 1
  13. Illyassou KM, Adamou R, Schiffers B. 2019. Exposure assessment of operators to pesticides in Kongou, a sub-watershed of Niger river valley. J Environ Sci Health B, 54(3): 176-186
  14. Jeon HY, Zhu H, Derksen RC, Ozkan HE, Krause CR, Fox RD. 2011. Performance evaluation of a newly developed variable-rate sprayer for nursery liner applications. ASABE, 54(6): 1997-2007
  15. Kline AA, Landers AJ, Hedge A, Lemley AT, Obendorf SK, Dokuchayeva T. 2003. Pesticide exposure levels on surfaces within sprayer cabs. Appl Eng Agric, 19(5): 503-510
  16. Konthonbut P, Kongtip P, Nankongnab N, Tipayamongkholgul M, Yoosook W, Woskie S. 2020. Paraquat exposure of backpack sprayers in agricultural area in Thailand. Hum Ecol Risk Assess, 26(10): 2798-2811
  17. Li S, Chen C, Wang Y, Kang F, Li W. 2021. Study on the atomization characteristics of flat fan nozzles for pesticide application at low pressures. Agriculture, 11: 309
  18. Machado NJG, Matuo T, Matuo YK. 1998. Efficiency of safety measures applied to a manual knapsack sprayer for paraquat application to maize (Zea mays L.). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 35: 698-701
  19. Moor A de, Langenakens L, Vereecke E, Jacken P, Lootens P. 2000. Image analysis of water sensitive paper as a tool for the evaluation of spray distribution of orchard sprayers. Aspects Appl Biol, 57: 329-341
  20. Nuyttens D, Windey S, Sonck B. 2003. Comparison of operator exposure for five different greenhouse spraying applications. Agric Saf Health ASAE
  21. Özkan HE. 1995. Herbicide formulations, adjuvants and spray drift management. In: Hand on Weed Management Systems, Ed: AE Smith, Marcek Dekker Inc., USA
  22. Özyurt HB, Duran H, Çelen İH. 2022. Determination of the application parameters of spraying drones for crop production in hazelnut orchards. J Tekirdag Agric Fac
  23. Salyani M, Heping Z, Roy DS, Naresh P. 2013. Assessment of spray distribution with water-sensitive paper. Agric Eng Int CIGR J, 15(2): 101-111
  24. Shaw A, Sanvido O, Wagate G, Rover M. 2023. Pesticide operator safety: A global framework to support operator safety at the “local” level. CABI Rev
  25. Syngenta. 2024. https://www.syngenta.com.au/awri (accessed date: December 1, 2024)
  26. Turgut E, Duran H. 2025. Determination of some spraying characteristics of different air induction nozzles. BSJ Agri, 8(2): 263-269
  27. Turgut E. 2021. Farklı hava emişli meme tiplerinin bazı pülverizasyon karekteristiklerinin belirlenmesi. Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi, Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü, Tarım Makinaları ve Teknolojileri Mühendisliği Ana Bilim Dalı, Samsun, Türkiye pp: 72
  28. Višacki V, Sedlar A, Gil E, Bugarin R, Turan J, Janić T, Burg P. 2016. Effects of sprayer boom height and operating pressure on the spray uniformity and distribution model development. Appl Eng Agric, 32(3): 341-346
  29. Vitali M, Protano C, Del Monte A, Ensabella F, Guidotti M. 2008. Operative modalities and exposure to pesticides during open field treatments among a group of agricultural subcontractors. Springer Sci+Bus Media, LLC, pp: 52
  30. Wong HL, Garthwaite DG, Ramwell CT, Brown CD. 2018. Assessment of exposure of professional agricultural operators to pesticides. Sci Total Environ, 619: 874-882
  31. Xuehua A, Xinju L, Jinhua J, Lu L, Feidi W, Shenggan W, Xueping Z. 2020. Exposure risks to pesticide applicators posed by the use of electric backpack sprayers and stretcher-mounted sprayers in orchards. Hum Ecol Risk Assess, 26(8): 2288-2301
  32. Zhu H, Salyani M, Fox RD. 2011. A portable scanning system for evaluation of spray deposit distribution. Comput Electron Agric, 76(1): 38-43.