How does exposure to pesticides vary in space and time for residents living near to treated orchards?

Abstract

This study investigated changes over 25 years (1987–2012) in pesticide usage in orchards in England and Wales and associated changes to exposure and risk for resident pregnant women living 100 and 1000 m downwind of treated areas. A model was developed to estimate aggregated daily exposure to pesticides via inhaled vapour and indirect dermal contact with contaminated ground, whilst risk was expressed as a hazard quotient (HQ) based on estimated exposure and the no observed (adverse) effect level for reproductive and developmental effects. Results show the largest changes occurred between 1987 and 1996 with total pesticide usage reduced by ca. 25%, exposure per unit of pesticide applied slightly increased, and a reduction in risk per unit exposure by factors of 1.3 to 3. Thereafter, there were no consistent changes in use between 1996 and 2012, with an increase in number of applications to each crop balanced by a decrease in average application rate. Exposure per unit of pesticide applied decreased consistently over this period such that values in 2012 for this metric were 48–65% of those in 1987, and there were further smaller decreases in risk per unit exposure. All aggregated hazard quotients were two to three orders of magnitude smaller than one, despite the inherent simplifications of assuming co-occurrence of exposure to all pesticides and additivity of effects. Hazard quotients at 1000 m were 5 to 16 times smaller than those at 100 m. There were clear signals of the impact of regulatory intervention in improving the fate and hazard profiles of pesticides used in orchards in England and Wales over the period investigated.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11356-017-0064-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Hematological indices as indicators of inflammation induced by exposure to pesticides

“…Regardless of the route and/or duration of exposure to one or more pesticides, it is likely that inflammation events will be constantly generated due to the physiological impacts of intoxication, both acute and chronic (Le Couteur et al 1999;Kirby et al 2001;Barlow et al 2005;Hirschfield et al 2010;Astiz et al 2012;Cave et al 2012;MacFarlane et al 2013;Wong et al 2017Wong et al , 2021Petrescu et al 2018;Chen et al 2019;Vilas-Boas et al 2019). The main groups of pesticides (OP, CB, and PYR) to which urban sprayers are exposed can generate considerable alterations in many cellular structures, culminating in tissue-specific or system-wide damage (Le Couteur et al 1999;Kirby et al 2001;Barlow et al 2005;Hirschfield et al 2010;Astiz et al 2012;Cave et al 2012;MacFarlane et al 2013;Wong et al 2017Wong et al , 2021Petrescu et al 2018;Chen et al 2019;Vilas-Boas et al 2019). Among these deleterious effects is the stimulation of the cholinergic system, which is not limited to nervous system cells.…”

Efficacy of Clinical Toxicology Curriculum on the 4th Year Egyptian Students - Faculty of Medicine- Tanta University in Improvement their Concept about Human Safety from Toxicity

“…About 46% of farmers didn't use any protective equipment during spraying pesticides because of there were uncomfortable to wear, expensive to buy, time-consuming to use and not available when needed. Wong et al (2017) discussed that volatilization is possible way for spreading of pesticides through air. Weather conditions at time of application could affect pesticides spread.…”

Modelling aggregate exposure to pesticides from dietary and crop spray sources in UK residents

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