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Residential proximity to agricultural pesticide applications has been used as a surrogate for exposure in epidemiological studies, although little is known about the relationship with levels of pesticides in
homes.
Researchers collected samples of carpet dust and mapped crops within 1,250 meters of 89 residences in California. We measured concentrations of seven pesticides (carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, chlorthal-dimethyl, diazinon, iprodione, phosmet and simazine) used extensively in agriculture.
Researchers estimated use of agricultural pesticides near residences from a statewide database alone and by linking the database with crop maps. Researchers calculated the density of pesticide use within 500 and 1,250 meters of residences for 180, 365 and 730 days prior to collection of dust and evaluated relationships between agricultural pesticide use estimates and pesticide concentrations in carpet
dust.
For five of the seven pesticides evaluated, residences with use of agricultural pesticides within 1,250 meters during the previous 365 days had significantly higher concentrations of pesticides than residences with no nearby use.
The highest correlation with concentrations of pesticides was generally for use reported within 1,250 m of the residence and 730 days prior to sample collection. Regression models that also accounted for occupational and home use of pesticides explained only a modest amount of the variability in pesticide concentrations (4 – 28%).
Agricultural pesticide use near residences was a significant determinant of concentrations of pesticides in carpet dust for five of seven pesticides
evaluated.
Authors
Robert B. Gunier, Mary H. Ward, Matthew Airola, Erin M. Bell, Joanne Colt, Marcia Nishioka, Patricia A. Buffler, Peggy Reynolds, Rudy Rull, Andrew Hertz, Catherine Metayer, John R. Nuckols
Gunier RB, Ward MH, Airola M, Bell EM, Colt J, Nishioka M, et al. 2011. Determinants of Agricultural Pesticide Concentrations in Carpet Dust. Environ Health Perspect :-.
doi:10.1289/ehp.1002532
Source
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(NIEHS)
(MDN)
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