For a pesticide drift incident onto people harvesting a commodity, what types of samples should be collected?

For a pesticide drift incident affecting people harvesting a commodity, it is essential to collect a variety of samples to assess potential exposure accurately. Whole leaf foliage, particularly in a gradient pattern, is crucial because it provides insight into how much pesticide has accumulated on plants in various locations, which can reflect the intensity and distribution of the pesticide drift.

Additionally, soil samples help to understand any deposition of pesticides that may have occurred near the ground level where people are working. Analyzing soil is important for determining residual effects and potential contamination in the environment. This holistic approach ensures that both aerial exposure (through foliage) and ground-level contamination (through soil) are considered, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Collecting only whole leaf foliage or clothing would not capture the full extent of pesticide exposure, as it does not account for potential residues that may affect the soil and would limit the data quality regarding environmental impact. Therefore, the inclusion of both soil and foliage samples is critical to fully evaluate the pesticide drift incident.