Operator Exposure Service

Operator Exposure & Worker Re-entry Studies

CEMAS have a dedicated team with staff experienced in carrying out OPEX studies worldwide since 1985. We are particularly experienced in Europe and recently completed studies in the UK, France, Spain and Portugal.

Our clients consist of many of the major international agrochemical companies along with Task Force groups such as the Seed Tropex Task Force and the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) European Operator Exposure Monitoring (EOEM) Task Force.

CEMAS can provide a complete study service including:

• Study Plan development to OECD (OECD/GD (97) 148) and US (EPA Occupational and Residential Exposure Test Guidelines OPPTS series 875) guidelines, using the following methodology:
  • Dermal Exposure
    • Passive dosimetry (e.g. whole body method)
    • Hand exposure (e.g. hand wash method)
  • Inhalation Exposure
    • Personal air sampling method
  • Biological monitoring (e.g.urine)
• Identification of test sites and co-operators
• A field team; comprising Study Director/field manager, observers and field laboratory personnel (for carrying out fortification of field recovery specimens)
• Frozen specimen storage in the field and transportation
• Specimen analysis (including method development and validation)
• Reporting and interpretation of results

Alternatively any of the above can be provided as part of a Sponsor study.

Our experts have many years’ experience in exposure assessment and can advise on the design of studies (regulatory and/or product safety/stewardship) and are familiar with both European and US requirements.

We also have experience in designing and conducting Worker Re-entry and Dislodgeable Foliar Residue (DFR) studies to US EPA OPPTS series 875 guidelines.

All phases of the study are carried out in compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and are audited by our Quality Assurance Unit (QAU).