The setting of an occupational exposure limit for phosphamidon in the workplace--a Chinese approach.

This paper describes the approach of setting an occupational exposure limit for phosphamidon, an organophosphorus pesticide, in the workplace in China. Apart from a general review of the literature relating to various toxicological studies, special emphasis has been placed on the results of a systematic occupational health survey on the workers exposed to phosphamidon. As a result of the survey, together with the literature review, a 'maximum allowable concentration' (MAC) for phosphamidon in the air of workplace is suggested as 0.02 mg m-3 but on the condition that the route of skin entry be blocked effectively. In addition, based on the description of the standard-setting process in China, a comparison has been made to the current U.K. approach.