LAUSR

OBJECTIVE The aim: Quantitative characterization of parameters of penetration of pesticides through the skin and assessment of the risk of their dermal exposure to workers using the basic provisions of diffusion theory and calculation models. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: The penetration coefficient was calculated using the Potts's and Guy's equation: logKp,m = -2,8 - 6,0×10-3MW + 0,74logKo/w (R2 = 0.67). Determination of the absorbed dose was carried out using the maximum flow of the substance per unit area and the area of contact of the pesticide with the skin. Calculations were performed using the Microsoft Excel 2010 computer program package, PubChem information databases, EU Pesticides Database. RESULTS Results: It was established that the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin and triazole fungicides (prothioconazole, propiconazole, and tebuconazole) penetrate the skin the fastest among the studied substances. The highest value of the absorbed dose is observed in the case of bifenthrin, which creates dangerous conditions during production operations with pesticide formulations based on it and conditions the adoption of necessary management decisions. CONCLUSION Conclusions: The calculation model of Potts and Guy (1992) is sufficiently informative and reliable to determine the coefficient of penetration of pesticides from aqueous solutions in the phase of the steady process of diffusion and allows determining the doses absorbed through the skin and assessing the risk of dermal exposure to workers.