A survey on the reason for low acceptability and proposal for its improvement for protective clothing in pesticide applicators

농약살포자의 방제복 미착용 요인 및 착용감 개선 방안 고찰

We intend to analyze reasons for low acceptability of protective clothing in pesticide-spraying farmers in Korea, and to use the information for designing new clothing with better acceptability. To understand the attitude of farmers toward wearing protective clothing during spray, a survey was performed on 256 farmers. It is evident that the stress, which is caused by inadequate body temperature regulation, and its accompanying physiological responses are two of the leading factors for the low acceptability of protective clothing. Although the cost of clothing is not an important factor currently, low cost clothing is desirable in the future. Fancy of design is unimportant for new clothing. The results are discussed in conjunction with a desirable research focus for new types of protective clothing. Efforts should be made to ameliorate thermal stress through protective material development and garment design.