Performance of water repellent finish treated fabric against pesticides spraying at field conditions

To assess the performance of fuorosilicone treated fabrics towards pesticide spraying, test was conducted on subjects in farming situation. Patch method was followed in conducting the test. In this method, Polyester-Cotton (67:33) with 157.7 GSM was finished with BOND-WR-12 A RTU water repellent flour silicone finished patches of 8 x 8 cm were taken out from the treated fabric and the fabric sample patches placed in different areas on the sprayman’s body over their regular attaire. Pesticide residues collected from the exposed samples, estimated absorption and penetration with three pesticides individually and assessed treated and untreated fabrics exposed at different areas of the applicator’s body after 3 different exposures. The field exposure study of Phasphomidon, Monocrotophos and Dimethoate pesticides were individually carried out in field conditions following Patch method (Garrigou et al., 2008). The absorption and penetration was estimated through collected pesticide residues from treated and untreated fabric patches were analysed through Gas Chromatography. The study indicated that the mean residue of absorption and penetration was less in treated fabric samples over control fabric patches.