2009-12-03
Operator exposure
In August 2009 the EFSA released a Draft Scientific Opinion on “Preparation of a Guidance Document on Pesticide Exposure Assessment for Workers, Operators, Bystanders and Residents”. Guidance is provided on an harmonised approach to risk assessment in the EU and specifies models to be used for most crop protection scenarios. The overall approach is precautionary and there are a number of issues that will need to be resolved during the consultation process. The document introduces the concept of a separate toxicological reference value, an “acute AOEL” (“AAOEL”), to address exposure to acutely toxic pesticides which is analogous to an Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) for dietary risk assessment.
