Determination of Pesticide Exposures of Some Nozzle Types in Almond Trees Sprayed with Knapsack Sprayer

In this study, field trials were conducted using a knapsack sprayer to determine the pesticide exposure of the pesticide application agricultural workers (The operators) in almond tree spraying, and pesticide exposure was determined by the whole-body approach technique. An electric knapsack sprayer with a 20-liter tank capacity was used in the study. The nozzles attached to the spray boom of the knapsack sprayer can be changed in practice. Three spray nozzles were used to measure the operator pesticide exposure. These nozzles are (M1) Air induction nozzle (11002), (M2) Extended range flat fan nozzle (XR 11002), and (M3) Hollow cone nozzle (TXA8002). Each method was applied at two different spray distances (50 and 100 cm), and water-sensitive papers (WSP) were used as a sample surface in all methods. When protective clothing was analyzed, it was found that the whole body could be exposed to pesticides. According to the results, the highest coverage was obtained from standard extended range flat fan nozzle (M2) method with a 23.6 (% coverage) coverage rate and deposition of 3,956 (µL.cm-²).