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In case of forestry workers, permethrin impregnated trousers might improve protection against infections transmitted by ticks. Apart from this desirable effect, an uptake of permethrin by the user cannot be excluded. The aim of this ongoing field study is to provide comparative biomonitoring data on internal permethrin exposure of forestry workers equipped with permethrin impregnated and non- impregnated trousers.
Methods
Within a group of n=88 forestry workers (aged 19-62 years, median 45), a subgroup of n=49 workers (group 1) was equipped for 4 month with permethrin impregnated trousers for work. A second group (2, n=39), equiped with non-impregnated trousers served as control group. Internal permethrin exposure was assessed by biomonitoring of permethrin metabolites (DCCA, 3-PBA) in urine samples collected before (day 0) and at four occasions during the study period using a GC/MSMS method. The first results presented here give information about the development of internal exposure within the first four weeks of the study period.
Results
Biomonitoring resulted in median urinary metabolite concentrations (sum DCCA + 3-PBA) of 0.83 µg/l (range: 0.15 – 96.73) on day 0 and 3.19 µg/l (0.24 – 139.64) on day 28 in group 1. The respective values in group 2 were 0.39 (0.11 – 6.63) and 0.32 µg/l (0.05 -30.83). Statistically significant differences between both groups were found for both samplings (day 0: p=0.016, day 28: p<0.001, Mann-Whitney-test).
Discussion
Despite considerable internal exposure even without using impregnated clothing in particular cases, group related median values differing by a factor of ten after 28 days of wearing suggest an additional uptake of permethrin from impregnated trousers. Regarding the German reference value (5 µg/l), median exposure of group 1 does not exceed background exposure in the general population. Giving now a first impression, the validity of these results will be improved by additional data until end of this year.