Pesticides in household dust and soil: exposure pathways for children of agricultural families.

Abstract

Child of agriculture families are likely to be exposed to agricultural chemicals, even if they are not involved in farm activities. This study was designed to determine whether such children are exposed to higher levels of pesticides than children whose parents are not involved in agriculture and whose homes are not close to farms. Household dust and soil samples were collected in children's play areas from 59 residences in eastern Washington State (26 farming, 22 farmworker, and 11 nonfarming families). The majority of the farm families lived within 200 feet of an operating apple or pear orchard, whereas all reference homes were located at least a quarter of a mile from an orchard. Four organophosphorous (OP) insecticides commonly used on tree fruit were targeted for analysis: azinphosmethyl, chlorpyrifos, parathion, and phosmet. Samples were extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass selective detection. Pesticide concentrations in household dust were significantly higher than in soil for all groups. OP levels for farmer/farm-worker families ranged from nondetectable to 930 ng/g in soil (0.93 ppm) and from nondetectable to 17,000 ng/g in dust (17 ppm); all four OP compounds were found in 62% of household dust samples, and two-thirds of the farm homes contained at least one OP above 1000 ng/g. Residues were found less frequently in reference homes and all levels were below 1000 ng/g. Household dust concentrations for all four target compounds were significantly lower in reference homes when compared to farmer/farmworker homes (Mann Whitney, U test; p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that children of agricultural families have a higher potential for exposure to OP pesticides than children of nonfarm families in this region. Measurable residues of a toxicity, I compound registered exclusively for agricultural use, azcnphosmettyl were found in household dust samples from all study homes, suggesting that low level exposure to such chemicals occurs throughout the region. Children's total and cumulative exposure to this pesticide class from household dust, soil, and other sources warrants further investigation.ImagesFigure 1.Figure 2.

Determinants of temporal variability in NHEXAS-Maryland environmental concentrations, exposures, and biomarkers

“…Of these effects, only use in bathrooms was in the logical direction. While inverse correlations between pesticide concentrations and self-reported activities are not uncommon (Berkowitz et al, 2003;Whyatt et al, 2003), in light of the shifting pesticide market and the long accumulation periods represented by dust loadings (Simcox et al, 1995), it is worth emphasizing that use in bathrooms referred to activities within the past 6 months, while daily pesticide use was specific to the recent monitoring period. Further, those with frequent pesticide contact at work would have access to the newest pesticides and, knowing their dangers, might be more careful with them at home.…”

Multimedia measurements and activity patterns in an observational pilot study of nine young children

“…Differences in urinary metabolite concentrations and housedust, soil, and handwipe concentrations for the organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and their nonspecific metabolites have been found between children living in close proximity to agricultural areas and children living in suburban or urban areas in Washington State (Simcox et al, 1995;Loewenherz et al, 1997;Lu et al, 2000).…”

Using GIS and historical records to reconstruct residential exposure to large-scale pesticide application

“…In another recent study, Bell et al (2001 ), using daily pesticide application information from the California Pesticide Use Report database, found elevated risk of fetal death due to congenital anomalies when pesticides were applied during the third to eighth week of pregnancy in the square mile of the mother's residence or in one of the adjacent square miles. Previous research by Simcox et al ( 1995 ) provides evidence of higher concentrations of pesticides in house dust and soil samples near areas of current agricultural pesticide use, lending support to the use of distance-based GIS exposure measures, such as these.…”