User evaluation of functionally designed protective clothing for agricultural workers

The major purpose of this study was to evaluate user preferences for prototype spray garments for agricultural workers exposed to pesticides. Two garment styles designed from specifications from previous research were constructed of Gore Tex^®, Storm Shed^®, and Tyvek^®. The traditional wear test was used with modifications for measuring overall consumer satisfaction in an incomplete random block to eliminate any effects of individual evaluators. Twenty-two fruit farmers in Michigan participated in the study during their spray season.

User satisfaction was measured through the confirmation of expectations concerning specific garment characteristics rated important by the participants. The reasons behind the user's garment evaluations were explored through the participant's attitudes, perception of health risk, uncontrolled variables, demographic variables, and the likelihood of future wear.

The results of the analysis of variance model for participant, style, fabric, and style/fabric interaction for overall satisfaction were not significant for participant, fabric, or style/fabric interaction. There was a significance at the .05 level for style. The chi-square test showed there was a significant difference in user preference for the jumpsuit over the labcoat. The post-wear-test evaluation (postpurchase evaluation) showed no preference between fabrics or individual garments but the user satisfaction process (confirmation of expectations) revealed that the Tyvek^® garments confirmed a high level of satisfaction.

No statistically significant change in the participant's attitudes and practices toward pesticide use was found. The majority of subjects perceived a high level of health risk related to pesticide exposure and use; but an analysis of variance did not show any significance between the evaluator's perception of health risk and their garment evaluations. As the number of wearings a garment received in high afternoon temperatures increased, the amount the subject was willing to pay increased. Garment evaluations were not significantly affected by the demographic variables of age, education, and size of farm. Overall the participants expressed the intention to continue to wear a majority of the garments evaluated. Tyvek^® emerged as the preferred choice in the area of cost. Finally, the launderability of contaminated fabrics may have an effect on the fabrics recommended for the final design of this protective garment.