4.4 Application to concrete examples

The graphs in figs. 4.1a, 4.2a and 4.3a show operations involved in individual cultivation cycles. In each case the amount of energy introduced into the system by the use of mechanical and chemical production is shown. The values also indicate the exposure of workers to the abovementioned risk factors. Thus for mechanical operations the higher the energy input into the system the more work is performed both in terms of time and power used. This is only partly true for chemical operations where it is the type of substance, to which the worker is exposed, that is of greater importance.

Fig. 4.1a . Cultivation cycle of wheat. Agricultural techniques and evaluation, in terms of energy, of the related risk factors.

LEGEND
		Operations with exposure to mechanical risks
		Operations with high exposure to chemical risks
		Operations with moderate exposure to chemical risks
		Operations with negligible exposure to chemical risks

ASSE orizontale                   Asse verticale:  Energy

Ploughing

Disc harrowing

Harrowing

Ditching

Manure spreading and fertilisers

Sowing and seeds

Weed control and herbicides

Manure spreading and fertilisers

Treatment and fungicide spraying

Combine harvesting

Baling

Collecting bales

Fig. 4.1b  Cultivation cycle of wheat. Calculation of energy input

LEGEND
			Total combined energy input
			Total combined chemical input
			Total combined chemical input

ASSE orizontale                   Asse verticale:  Energy

Ploughing

Disc harrowing

Harrowing

Ditching

Manure spreading and fertilisers

Sowing and seeds

Weed control and herbicides

Manure spreading and fertilisers

Treatment and fungicide spraying

Combine harvesting

Baling

Collecting bales

Fig. 4.2a . Cultivation cycle of sugar beet. Agricultural techniques and evaluation, in terms of energy, of the related risk factors.

ASSE orizontale                   Asse verticale:  Energy

Chiselling

Ploughing

Grubbing

Disc harrowing

Harrowing

Ditching

Manure spreading and fertilising

Sowing

Sowing and herbicides spraying

Herbicide spraying and hoeing

Fertilising and spraying of plant protection products

Harvesting

LEGEND

Operations with exposure to mechanical risks

Operations with high exposure to chemical risks

Operations with moderate exposure to chemical risks

Operations with negligible exposure to chemical risks

4.2b  -  Cultivation cycle of sugar beet. Evaluation of the energy inputs

 

ASSE orizontale                   Asse verticale:  Energy

Chiselling

Ploughing

Grubbing

Disc harrowing

Harrowing

Ditching

Manure spreading and fertilising

Sowing

Sowing and herbicides spraying

Herbicide spraying and hoeing

Fertilising and spraying of plant protection products

Harvesting

 

LEGEND
			Total combined energy input
			Total combined chemical input
			Total combined chemical input

Fig. 4.3a - Cultivation cycle of sunflowers. Agricultural techniques and evaluation, in terms of energy, of the related risk factors.

 

 ASSE orizontale                   Asse verticale:  Energy

Chiselling

Ploughing

Grubbing

Disc harrowing

Harrowing

Ditching

Manure spreading and Fertilising

Sowing and seeds

Weed control and herbicides

Hoeing and Fertilisers

Harvesting

Stalk shredding

 

LEGEND
		Operations with exposure to mechanical risks
		Operations with high exposure to chemical risks
		Operations with moderate exposure to chemical risks
		Operations with negligible exposure to chemical risks

4.3b  -  Cultivation cycle of Sunflowers. Evaluation of the energy inputs

 

ASSE orizontale                   Asse verticale:  Energy

Chiselling

Ploughing

Grubbing

Disc harrowing

Harrowing

Ditching

Manure spreading and Fertilising

Sowing and seeds

Weed control and herbicides

Hoeing and Fertilisers

Harvesting

Stalk shredding

 

LEGEND
			Total combined energy input
			Total combined chemical input
			Total combined chemical input

 

Thus it would be useful to differentiate operations on the basis of the toxicity of chemicals used. In our case, for example, fertilising has been distinguished from herbicide, insecticide and fungicide spraying.

By applying this method to real-life situations we obtain a picture of the succession of operations during which workers are exposed to various risk factors with an estimate of related intensity. As can be seen from graphs Fig. 4.1b, 4.2b and 4.3b, we also have an evaluation of the environmental impact of the three cultivation systems under examination, expressed in energy input totals.

The next graph shows the period for each operation, Fig. 4.4.

 

Fig. 4.4

This graph shows the times when one is exposed to risk factors over a farming year. It also provides information which can be used as the basis for carrying out tests on the effects of farming on people, the environment and foodstuffs.

The method is easy to apply as it involves a study period during which information pertaining to each cropping system is translated into energy values. This information is used to design a program to monitor specific situations. All this is easily adaptable to different cropping systems and sectors of agricultural production.

 

Fig. 4.4 - Chronogram of the interventions that involve mechanical risk (blue rhombus), high chemical risk (red triangle) and moderate chemical risk (white triangle).

 

4.5 Health checks and environmental testing

The study of problems relating to agro-chemicals focuses on finding out the real quantities distributed on the land and defining processes to rationalise their use. This also extends to workers’ skills.  Laws governing the production of agro-chemicals safeguard people’s health and the environmental by using complex testing methods for safety. This is particularly so when new molecules are introduced. Indeed environmental toxicological testing takes up the largest portion of producers’ resources.

Current testing is focused on contamination of food derivatives and reveals the need for support at a local level given the complexity and expense involved.

The choice of a typical farming estate in the province on the basis of sector, size and number of workforce would mean that a system of checks for particular contexts could be implemented. A management scheme for farming systems should be set up so that crops can be treated directly and tests be made, through time, on the contamination of workers, the environment and foodstuffs. In order to be effective this system of checks must be multi-disciplinary so as to guarantee an accurate evaluation of events, linked to each sector under scrutiny, and their overall interaction.

In order to deal with the problem, modifications to the system can be divided into three main categories: a) chemical substances, b) people’s health, c) contamination of foodstuffs.

a) The widespread use of chemicals to protect crops has lead to the development of a vast range of agro-chemicals. They contain very different types of molecules from both a chemical and toxicological point of view. The constant release of new products onto the market requires renewed testing methods. This can be done by area of use, especially with regard to new products and those used in very limited quantities. To have a complete picture of what is available one must not forget molecules obtained through enzyme cultures and non-traditional products used with integrated pest management. It would also be a good idea to investigate substances of coformulants as their toxicity is often overlooked.

b) To quantify exposure with sufficient leeway, typical behaviour patterns should be examined. This would provide an accurate assessment of whether the regulations are respected and the molecules, with which workers come into contact, evaluated. To help understand the evolution of work-related illnesses in agriculture, exposure should also be measured over time with reference to the effective duration of different tasks. The previously mentioned difficulty of assessing biological testing can only be facilitated with the aid of workers, identification of chemical samples for testing and careful planning of the monitoring. Thus it will be possible to perform testing focused on a restricted range of active ingredients or choose agro-chemicals of greater potential danger to human health and classify molecules of higher toxicity. A clearer idea of the effects of exposure to chemicals on man would be obtained through specific testing on susceptible internal organs. Recent studies have provided a new means of quantifying exposure and may simplify testing techniques and checks on people exposed. This is based on the absorption of pesticides into haemoglobin. Detailed testing should then be carried out on ‘critical’ cultivation practices (such as spraying in greenhouses and storage areas), post-harvest treatment and work in areas where agro-chemicals have already been used. During return to the fields after treatment workers may avoid wearing protective clothing, despite the possible existence of substances in the air which would result in absorption through the skin due to contact with plants.

c) The current practice of multi-residual testing seems to have arisen from the lack of communication between agro-chemical distribution channels and testing bodies. The recent regulations for self-testing (Regional deliberation n. 46 of 22/01/2001), despite containing no specific reference to agro-chemicals, support new agricultural techniques based on a knowledge of risks involved. Promoting a system whereby products can be traced needs to take note of the various chemicals in use. This would in turn limit testing to specific, possible residues or metabolites.  At a local level, the idea of sampling on farms and during moments of product growth, should be promoted. Although this would clearly require greater resources than sampling at the source of sales, it would offer much more information. It has often been pointed out that the presence of some agro-chemicals can only be traced by very specific testing or with particularly delicate equipment. At the same time, the low dosage in the use of some products creates problems of accuracy and precision when performing tests. The establishment of a network of cross-checks for analyses would therefore be auspicious. The greatest use of agro-chemicals certainly occurs in the field, however it would be unwise to overlook the effects of post-harvest treatment a practice designed to extend the preservation time of foodstuffs and promote ripening.

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