Development of protective clothing for agricultural workers

Farm workers are exposed to pesticide vapours and organic dust during various farm activities which may leads to many health problems. To minimize health hazards protective clothes were designed with reference to fabric and functional features. Designed protective clothing was given to twenty five farm workers involved in pesticide application and forty farm workers (25 males and 15 females) engaged in threshing activity, for a period of one month to access their suitability and acceptability. On the basis of suitability and acceptability recommended protective clothing for pesticide applicators were jacket with hood and pyjama of water proof fabric (having lining of cotton hosiery fabric), Chemical Resistant mask, Glasses/goggles, Nitrile gloves and Sports shoes. For threshing activity recommended protective clothing were: apron with hood and full sleeves with elasticized cuffs (elastic in two rows), Pleated mask/beak mask, Glasses/goggles, Sports shoes, Mittens/gloves (for male) and for female: Kameez with full sleeves preferably elasticized cuffs or apron, hood mask/scarf mask, glasses/goggles, sports shoes, mittens/gloves.