Abstract

Even though some effects of pesticides on health have been clearly identified, there is still insufficient knowledge and assessment of occupational exposure to pesticides in agricultural work to document a larger number of them with certainty.

In this context, prevention at source is still the best way to reduce risks. However, eliminating pesticides remains a challenge, as their use ensures high production yields and helps meet some quality and safety criteria. To preserve workers’ health, it is almost systematically recommended that personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn. However, the choice of protective clothing for pesticides poses its own challenges, given the little data available on the chemical resistance of this equipment.

In this project, the research team proposes to develop a multi-disciplinary methodology for assessing the chemical resistance and comfort of protective clothing and its adaptation to tasks involving the handling of pesticide products.
The application of this methodology will make it possible to verify whether ISO 27065-certified protective clothing meets the protective criteria of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), offers better protection, and is more comfortable and better adapted than other types of clothing that is not certified.