Which route of pesticide exposure is most common among workers?

Dermal exposure is the most common route of pesticide exposure among workers due to the nature of how pesticides are handled in landscape maintenance and agricultural settings. When individuals apply pesticides, they often come into contact with the chemical formulations through their skin, especially on the hands, arms, and other exposed areas. This can happen while mixing, loading, or applying pesticides without proper protective equipment or when handling plants and surfaces that have recently been treated.

Additionally, dermal exposure can occur when workers do not fully adhere to safety protocols, such as wearing gloves or long sleeves, or when there are spills or splashes that lead to skin contact. Given that many pesticides are designed to penetrate plant surfaces and target pests, they can also easily be absorbed through human skin. Therefore, measures such as appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling practices are crucial to minimize this type of exposure.

Inhalation, while significant, tends to be more relevant in scenarios involving aerosolized pesticides or dusts, while ingestion is much less common as it typically requires accidental consumption of contaminated materials. Injection is rare and generally not a usual route of exposure for workers using pesticides as it would imply a puncture or needlestick situation, which is not typical in landscape maintenance work.