Asia Pacific Environmental and Occupational Health Journal

Objective: This paper provides an empirical literature on the methodology used in the health risk assessment of pesticide use in palm oil plantation with the aim for a comprehensive assessment framework through both semi-quantitative and quantitative methods.

Method: Semi-quantitative assessment model DREAM and DERM assessed occupational dermal exposure to pesticides. The whole body dosimetry method using uranine tracer is the quantification method of the level to pesticides exposure. The biological monitoring through acetylcholinesterase (AChE) catalytic activity in saliva measures the health risk from the prolong exposure.

Conclusions: Incorporate a comprehensive assessment framework through both semi-quantitative and quantitative methods allow us to model the health risk of pesticide use in the oil palm plantation. It is useful for stakeholders for the improvement of the risk assessment scheme, optimization of factors influence level of exposure and development of programs to aware workers on the appropriate use of pesticides.

Keywords: Health risk, pesticide, models, whole body dosimetry, saliva