From parcels to people: development of a spatially explicit risk indicator to monitor residential pesticide exposure in agricultural areas

Abstract

The increasing use of pesticides worldwide has raised concerns about their impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health, particularly for populations residing near agricultural regions. This study presents a novel spatially explicit risk indicator to assess residential pesticide exposure using detailed plant protection product data from France. By integrating spatial datasets and exposure assessment methodologies, we generated a high-resolution map that illustrates potential pesticide loads at the parcel level. Coupling this map with population distribution data enabled the monitoring of non-dietary pesticide exposure patterns. Findings indicate that approximately 13% of the French population may be exposed to pesticides due to their proximity to treated crops, with exposure levels varying from low to high (74% and 26% of the population respectively). This risk indicator highlights the effectiveness of detailed pesticide data in tracking and mitigating risks and can help identify regions where sustainable farming practices should be intensified. In addition, this method is scalable and can be adapted for use in other countries to improve pesticide risk monitoring and management in Europe and globally.