Pesticide Exposure Levels and Risk Assessment in Operators Involved in the Cashew Production in Côte d’Ivoire

To assess the level of producers’ exposure and the health risk in relation to phytosanitary practices in cashew crops in C?te d’Ivoire, a descriptive longitudinal toxicological study was conducted in 2018-2019 with 76 cashew producers in the areas of Mankono, Dabakala and Bondoukou. The data collected permitted the assessment of phytosanitary risks on the health of producers according to the Quebec-IRPeQ pesticide risk indicators. Field observations translated into scenarios were used to determine the exposure levels of producers via the UK-POEM predictive model. The main active substances used were glyphosate, 2,4-D, cypermethrin, acetamiprid, lambdacyhalothrin, profenofos, imidacloprid, deltamethrin, mancozeb and metalaxyl. The risk indicators showed that 2,4-D (TRI = 1332.25;SRI = 432.98), profenofos (TRI = 2550.25;SRI = 637.56) and mancozeb (TRI = 841;SRI = 147.18) among herbicides, insecticides and fungicides respectively could have more adverse health effects after exposure. These findings translated into scenarios specifically showed high exposure of producers to herbicides, with exposure levels ranging from 1.31 mg/kg bw/day to 1.67 mg/kg bw/day, well above the acceptable operator’s exposure levels (AOEL). These health risks could be significantly reduced if the required personal protective equipment is worn. But, recommended doses of pesticides should be reconsidered, because in some cases, applicators exposure remained high despite the protective equipment.