Assessment of operator and worker exposure in gardening areas in Burkina Faso using the new exposure model proposed by EFSA guidelines

The objective was to estimate resulting occupational exposure and assess solutions in order to provide stakeholders with suitable recommendations. The model succeed in providing assessment of alternatives and proved to be a cheap and easy way to propose a preliminary diagnosis of pesticide burden in occupational activities. Risk reduction needs a combination of actions which implies proper application of pesticides in terms of recommended dose, frequency of treatment and wearing suitable PPE (i.e. certified coverall). Wearing uncertified but locally recommended/available coverall appeared to be not sufficient. Hand-held equipment exposure surrogates provided by the EFSA guidance consider that about 1 ha is treated per day. In gardening areas surveyed, 90% of cultivated surfaces measure less than 5’000 m2. Results are therefore expected to be conservative even though, the homemade application alternative is not supported by the model and has been substituted by the knapsack. Further collection/production of exposure data for treated areas under 5000 m2 is recommended to include small scale agriculture (ex: private gardening) in EFSA guidance.