While pesticides are extensively used in U.S. agriculture, little research has been done to document pesticide use and practices of applicators in commercial cattle feedlot operations. The purpose of this exploratory study was to: (1) investigate behavior of commercial cattle feeders using pesticides, (2) determine protective clothing and/or equipment used when personnel apply pesticides, (3) determine clothing management practices, and (4) identify formulations and methods of pesticide application used by feedlot personnel. A questionnaire was administered to 54 commercial feedlot operations. A majority of the 54 feedlots fed over 16,000 cattle annually, while most handling of livestock (including pesticide application) was done by small crews (i.e., 1-4 persons). Results indicated that these feedlot crews may be substantially exposed to a variety of pesticides. Generally, protective clothing was not worn or was insufficient to minimize pesticide exposure.
Buesching, D.P. & Wollstadt, L. (1984). Cancer mortality among farmers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 72, 503.
2.
Burmeister, L.F. (1981). Cancer mortality in Iowa farmers. Journal of theNational Cancer Institute, 66, 461-464.
3.
Burmeister L. F., Everett, G.D., Vanlier, S. F., & Isacson , P. (1983). Selected cancer mortality and farm practices in Iowa. American Journal of Epidemiology, 118, 72-77.
4.
Cantor, K.P. (1982). Farming and mortality from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case-control study. International Journal ofCancer, 29, 239-247.
5.
DeJonge, J.O., Vredevoogd, J., & Henry, M.S. (1984). Attitudes, practices, and preferences of pesticide users toward protective apparel. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 2, 9-14.
6.
Federal Register (1974). 39:16888-16891.
7.
Federal Register (1988). 53:25970-26011.
8.
Flanery, J.A. (1985, September 22). Higher midlands cancer rates spur research. Omaha WorldHerald, 1B+.
9.
Henry, M.S. (1980). Users' perceptions of attributes of functional apparel. Unpublished master's thesis, Michigan State University , East Lansing.
10.
Hoar, S.K., Blair, A., Holmes, F. F. Boysen, C.D., Robel, R.J., Hoover, R., & Fraumeni , J.F. (1986). Agricultural herbicide use and risk of lymphoma and soft-tissue sarcoma. Journal of the American Medical Society,256, 1141-1147.
11.
Laudert, S.B. (1988). Kansas feedlot industry facts and figures. Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University, Cooperative Extension Service.
12.
Lavy, T.L., Mattice, J.D., & Flynn, R.R. (1983). Field studies monitoring worker exposure to pesticides . In: Seymour, K. G. (ed). Pesticide Formulation and Application ASTM STP 745, (p. 60- 74). Philadelphia, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials.
13.
Leavitt, J.R.C., Gold, R.E., Holcslaw, T., & Tupy, D. (1982). Exposure of professional pesticide applicators to carbaryl. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxiocology,11, 57-62.
14.
Leonas, K.K., Buckley, H.M., Sohn, M., & Lynn-Murphy, M.L. (1988). Pesticide handling and protective clothing practices of lawn maintenance professionals. In Reagan, B. M., Johnson, D. , and Dusaj, S. (Eds), The First International Symposium on the Impact of Pesticides, Industrial and Consumer Chemicals on the Near Environment (pp. 15-17). Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University.
15.
Mock, D.E. (1987). Managing insect problems on beef cattle. Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University, Cooperative Extension Service.
16.
Nigg, H.N., Stamper, J.H., & Queen, R.M. (1986). Dicofel exposure to Florida citrus applicators: effects of protective clothing. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 15(1), 121-134.
17.
Perkins, H.M., Crown, E.M., Rigakis, K.B., & Eggertson, B. (1988). The attitude and behavior of farmers towards disposable protective clothing: an experimental field study. In Reagan, B. M., Johnson, D., and Dusaj, S. (Eds), The First International Symposium on the Impact of Pesticides, Industrial and Consumer Chemicals on the Near Environment (pp. 234-242). Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University.
18.
Reinert, J.C., & Severn, D.J. (1985). Dermal exposure to pesticides: the Environmental Protection Agency's viewpoint. In: Honeycutt, R. C., Zweig, G., and Rags-dale, N. N. (Eds.), Dermal Exposure Related to Pesticide Use: Discussion of Risk Assessment (pp. 357-368). Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society.
19.
Rucker, M., Branson, D., Nelson, C., Olson, W., Slocum, A., & Stone, J. (1988). Farm families' attitudes and practices regarding pesticide application and protective clothing: a five-state comparison: Part 1: applicator data. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal , 6, 37-46.
20.
Stone, J., & Shelley, M. (1988). Iowa farmers' attitudes about pesticides and clothing: perception of risk, benefit, and safety practices. In Reagan, B. M., Johnson, D., and Dusaj, S. (Eds), The First International Symposium on the Impact of Pesticides, Industrial and Consumer Chemicals on the Near Environment (pp. 243-248). Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University.
21.
Wojeck, G.A., Nigg, H.N., Braman, R.S., Stamper, J.H., & Rouseff, R.L. (1982). Worker exposure to arsenic in Florida grapefruit spray operations. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxiocology,11, 661-667.
22.
Wojeck, G.A., Price, J.F., Nigg, H.N., & Stamper, J.H. (1983). Worker exposure to paraquat and diquat. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxiocology,12, 65-70.
23.
Wolfe, H.R. (1973). Workers should be protected from pesticide exposure . Weeds, Trees, and Turf, 12(4), 12+.
