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PubMedDate not supplied

The EL sampler: a press sampler for the quantitative estimation of dermal exposure to pesticides in housedust.

Indirect sampling techniques to estimate dermal exposure to pesticides on housedust-laden indoor surfaces should demonstrate collection efficiencies, for both particles and pesticide residues, which are similar to those that would adhere to the human skin. A spring-loaded press sampler has been developed that approximated the particle- and pesticide-collection efficiencies of a hand press of a human participant. Particle-collection efficiencies for the hand press and EL sampler, using housedust sieved to <250 microm in diameter, indicated that both sampling techniques collected similar particle fractions over the range of particle sizes. Pesticide-collection efficiencies measured on the participants hand (seven paired tests) were 42+/-7% atrazine, 29+/-8% diazinon, 43+/-8% malathion and 21+/-5% chlorpyrifos. The EL sampler collected 35+/-5%, 31+/-3%, 32+/-5% and 18+/-3% respectively. The collection efficiencies of the two sampling techniques were highly correlated for atrazine, diazinon, and chlorpyrifos (correlation coefficient=0.840, 0.815, and 0.706), but not for malathion (correlation coefficient=0.086).

Dust↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The challenge of assessing children's residential exposure to pesticides.

In implementing the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has adopted a policy that the exposure factors and models used to assess and predict exposure to pesticides should generally be conservative. Some elements of exposure assessments for FQPA are screening level--they are both uncertain and conservative. If more realistic assessments are to be conducted, then research is required to reduce uncertainty associated with the factors and models used in the exposure assessments. To develop the strategy for conducting this research, critical exposure pathways and factors were identified, and the quality and quantity of data associated with default assumptions for exposure factors were evaluated. Then, based on our current understanding of the pathways that are potentially most important and most uncertain, significant research requirements were identified and prioritized to improve the data available and assumptions used to assess children's aggregate exposure to pesticides. Based on the results of these efforts, four priority research areas were identified: (1) pesticide use patterns in microenvironments where children spend time, (2) temporal and spatial distribution of pesticides following application in a residential setting, (3) dermal and nondietary ingestion exposure assessment methods and exposure factors, (4) dietary exposure assessment methods and exposure factors for infants and young children. The National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) research strategy in support of FQPA is designed to address these priority research needs.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1999

Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in honey, applying solid phase extraction with RP-C18 material.

In this study, a new clean up method was developed for the routine multiresidue determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in honey. The analytical procedure requires sample extraction with methanol, followed by a clean up step through a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. Finally, pesticides are eluted with hexane. The determination of organochlorine pesticide residues was performed by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The mean recoveries of 18 organochlorine pesticides were estimated at various concentrations and found very efficient in most cases. The detection limits were found to be between 0.05 and 0.20 microgram kg-1.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1999

Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in foods using solid-phase extraction clean-up cartridges.

Fourteen organochlorine pesticide residues in fatty foods were determined using a simple and rapid procedure based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up cartridges with octadecyl (C18)-bonded porous silica, a tandem C18 and Florisil column, Alumina-N and Florisil. A Florisil cartridge eluted with 12 ml petroleum ether-ethyl ether (95 + 5) was the most efficient clean-up procedure capable of eliminating the matrix interference and satisfying the agreed acceptable recovery for the large numbers of organochlorine pesticides in nine kinds of foods having different fat contents. Average recoveries of organochlorine pesticides in shellfish, fish and meats ranged from 77 to 105%, 84 to 98% and 85 to 107%, respectively. In addition, analysis of a certified Standard Reference Material (SRM 1945) verified the satisfactory performance of Florisil clean-up cartridge. This SPE method not only yielded comparable results for nonfatty foods, but also provided a reliable separation and quantification of organochlorine pesticides for analyzing a large number of foods with a wide range of fat content.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1999

Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in vegetables and fruits using a high capacity absorbent polymer for water.

A single extraction and a single clean-up procedure was developed for multi-residue analysis of pesticides in non-fatty vegetables and fruits. The method involves the use of a high capacity absorbent polymer for water as a drying agent in extraction from wet food samples and of a graphitized carbon column for clean-up. A homogeneously chopped food sample (20 g) and polymer (3 g) were mixed to absorb water from the sample and then 10 min later the mixture was vigorously extracted with ethyl acetate (100 ml). The extract (50 ml), separated by filtration, was loaded on a graphitized carbon column without concentration. Additional ethyl acetate (50 ml) was also eluted and both eluates were concentrated to 5 ml for analysis. The procedure for sample preparation was completed within 2 h. In a recovery test, 107 pesticides were spiked and average recoveries were more than 80% from asparagus, orange, potato and strawberry. Most pesticides were recovered in the range 70-120% with usually less than a 10% RSD for six experiments. The results indicated that a single extraction with ethyl acetate in the presence of polymer can be applied to the monitoring of pesticide residues in foods.

Food Contamination↗
PubMed2002

Pressurised fluid extraction (PFE) as an alternative general method for the determination of pesticide residues in rape seed.

A pressurised fluid extraction (PFE) multi-method has been developed for the determination of pesticide residues in rape seed. The method was validated for 25 different pesticides and metabolites. The reliability and efficiency of PFE for extracting pesticide residues from rape seed was investigated. The traditional extraction solvent, hexane saturated with acetonitrile, was used at elevated temperature and pressure. With increased temperature, the extraction kinetics were improved but at the same time more co-extractives were obtained in the form of lipids. When 1 g of rape seed was extracted at temperatures from 60 degrees C to 150 degrees C, the lipid content extracted was found to be as high as 17-26%. An additional clean-up step was therefore required and lipid co-extractives were effectively removed by gel permeation chromatography. The interpretation of the chromatograms and the quantification of the results were satisfactorily improved by the removal of interfering lipids. The developed method was used to extract vinclozolin and iprodione from incurred samples, resulting in a concentration in accordance with the results using conventional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) between hexane and acetonitrile and also supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide. The results of the present study suggest that PEE is a good alternative extraction technique for the determination of pesticide residues in oil seed. Despite the necessity for a lipid-removal clean-up step, the PFE technique facilitated the extraction process by faster extractions and the possibility of automated analysis.

Brassica rapa↗
PubMed2003

Pesticide concentrations in air and precipitation in the Netherlands.

Atmospheric deposition may be an important source of persistent organic compounds (POP) and pesticides for the Dutch coastal and inland waters. Current estimates of the atmospheric input have been made using atmospheric dispersion models. The uncertainty is however large. A project was defined with the aim to assess the input on the basis of measurements. For a period of two years (1999-2001) a monitoring network was operated. At eighteen stations, located across the whole country, air and precipitation samples were taken on a weekly and monthly basis. In these samples the concentrations of pesticides, PCB's and PAH's were determined. Up to 50 different pesticides were observed in precipitation and air. The concentration of 17 of these in precipitation exceeded the maximum permissible level for surface water and 22 exceeded the standard for drinking water of 100 ng l(-1). The input from the atmosphere to Dutch inland waters appeared to be as large as the input of pesticides by other sources such as spray drift. Model calculations were also carried out to identify the sources of these compounds. The occurrence of atrazine could be related to emissions outside the Netherlands.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Synergism between trematode infection and pesticide exposure: a link to amphibian limb deformities in nature?

The apparently rapid increase in the prevalence of amphibian limb deformities has led to substantial interest from ecologists and public health professionals. Hypotheses proposed to explain the deformities fall into two broad categories: chemical contaminants and trematode infection. Although there are convincing experimental demonstrations that certain factors can lead to some deformities, the causes for recent increases in amphibian malformation remain controversial. Moreover, no experimental studies on amphibian deformities have been conducted in the field, and no studies have attempted to examine the synergistic effects of trematode infection and exposure to chemical contaminants. Here, I present the results of field and laboratory experiments that link increased trematode infection, and increased limb deformities, to pesticide exposure. Field experiments conclusively demonstrated that exposure to trematode infection was required for the development of limb deformities in wood frogs, Rana sylvatica. However, deformities were more common at sites adjacent to agricultural runoff. Laboratory experiments corroborated the association between pesticide exposure and increased infection with pesticide-mediated immunocompetency as the apparent mechanism. Given the conservative contaminant exposure levels used [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standards] and the widespread use of many pesticides, these negative impacts may help to explain pathogen-mediated amphibian declines in many regions.

Amphibians↗
PubMed2004

Gliomas and farm pesticide exposure in men: the upper midwest health study.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health evaluated farm pesticide exposure and glioma risk in a study that included 457 glioma cases and 648 population-based controls, all adult men (18-80 yr old) and nonmetropolitan residents of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Multiple logistic regressions were used to control for farm residence, age, age group, education, and exposure to other pesticides. No associations were found between glioma and 12 specific pesticides. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and found reduced glioma risk for insecticides (OR = 0.53, CI = 0.37-0.77), fumigants (OR = 0.57, CI = 0.34-0.95), and organochlorines (OR = 0.66, CI = 0.47-0.94). In analyses excluding proxy respondents (47% of cases) most CIs included 1.0. No positive association of farm pesticide exposure and glioma was found. Other farm exposures may explain the excess brain cancer risk seen in previous studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mortality in 1969 from pesticides, including aerosols.

Among the 87 deaths in the United States in 1969 for which a causal relationship to pesticides could not be excluded, there were 62 valid accidents, 20 intentionally inflicted deaths, and five deaths incorrectly attributed to pesticides. The reduction in the number of such deaths compared to the decade and a half prior to 1962 probably involves a trend. As in the past, a disproportionate fraction of the victims were children, boys and men, and nonwhites. Findings in four cases (three in 1969) were consistent with the conclusion that intensive inhalation of an aerosol can sensitize the heart to fatal arrhythmia, even though there is no intentional misuse of the aerosol and no attempt to seek a thrill. Medical examiners should be alert to the possibility of such deaths associated with both pesticide and non-pesticide aerosols.

Accidents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Organophosphorus pesticide poisonings in humans: determination of residues and metabolites in tissues and urine.

The analyses of four organophosphorus pesticide poisoning cases, three of which resulted in death, are reported. The case histories of the subjects, along with the analysis of tissues, urine, and blood for the levels of pesticides and metabolites are given. The pesticides involved include dicrotophos, chlorpyrifos, malathion, and parathion. The methods of analysis were adapted from previously published methods that provide a very rapid means of identification of organophosphorus pesticides in the tissues or in the blood of poisoned patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cholinesterase and self-reported pesticide exposure among pregnant women.

Ascertainment of exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides in pregnant subjects is complicated by altered enzyme activity that results from metabolic changes associated with pregnancy. Nevertheless, this study found a high correlation (Pearson chi-square = 13.67, p = .008) between classification of pesticide exposure using self-reported interview information and plasma cholinesterase activity for 203 pregnant women for whom three trimester cholinesterase values were available. All plasma cholinesterase activity values were referenced, by trimester, to a larger sample of 1,050 plasma cholinesterase values from 535 pregnant women. Subjects who lived nearest to agricultural land and who reported that they worked with pesticides in agricultural and other occupations tended to have lower plasma cholinesterase activity than those who reported use of household pesticides only.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chemical sensitivity attributed to pesticide exposure versus remodeling.

One hundred twelve individuals who reported onset of multiple chemical sensitivity following well-documented exposure to either (1) a cholinesterase-inhibiting organophosphate or carbamate pesticide or (2) remodeling of a building completed mail-out/mail-back questionnaires concerning their exposure, symptoms, sensitivity to ingestants and inhalants, utilization of health-care resources, and impact of their illness on lifestyle. It was hypothesized that if multiple chemical sensitivity resulted from neurotoxic exposure, then organophosphate-exposed respondents should report greater severity of illness resulting from the relatively greater neurotoxicity of this class of chemicals. Pesticide-exposed and remodeling-exposed multiple chemical sensitivity groups reported similar patterns of symptoms and identified similar inhalants and ingestants as triggers for their symptoms; these results suggested a common mechanism (biological and/or psychological) for their conditions. The pesticide-exposed group, however, reported significantly greater symptom severity than did the remodeling-exposed group, especially for neuromuscular, affective, airway, gastrointestinal, and cardiac symptoms. These findings provide evidence for (1) a possible biological basis for multiple chemical sensitivity and (2) a distinct pathophysiology or final common pathway for the condition that, while as yet undefined, appears to be shared by these two groups. Although subjective multisystem health complaints characterize both multiple chemical sensitivity and somatoform disorder, features of this multiple chemical sensitivity sample were inconsistent with somatoform disorder, i.e., onset after 30 y of age in 83%, the predominance of severe cognitive symptoms, and attributions of environmental causation. No group differences were found with respect to lifestyle impact. Eighty-one percent of respondents said they had been working full-time at the time they were exposed, yet at the time of the survey (on average, 7.7 y post exposure) only 12.5% were working full-time. The majority said they had quit their jobs, changed jobs, or changed careers because of their illness. Approximately 40% reported that they had consulted 10 or more medical practitioners. The persistent, disabling neuropsychological symptoms reported by these multiple chemical sensitivity groups are strikingly similar to those reported among individuals exposed occupationally to pesticides and solvents. These parallel findings suggest that the types and levels of exposures associated with extermination and remodeling may not be inconsequential, at least for a subset of the population. Further studies from a variety of perspectives, including human challenge studies and the development of animal models, are needed to define the pathophysiological and psychological mechanisms underlying this costly condition.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Brain cancer mortality among French farmers: the vineyard pesticide hypothesis.

In this study, the authors assessed the contribution of vineyard pesticides to brain cancer mortality among agricultural workers. A pesticide exposure index (PEI) in vineyards was calculated for 89 French geographical units (départements). The authors estimated standardized mortality ratios among male farmers and farm laborers aged 35-74 y for the years 1984-1986. Poisson regression models, which were fitted to the ecological data, included random effects. Mortality from brain cancer among farmers was significantly higher than mortality for the overall population (standardized mortality ratio = 1.25, p < .001). Univariate analysis revealed a significant link with pesticide exposure in vineyards (relative risk = 1.10; 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.18), as did multivariate analysis (relative risk = 1.11; 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.19). These results corraborate the evidence that pesticides in vineyards contribute to mortality from brain cancer among farmers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of peripheral nerve function in an Ecuadorian rural population exposed to pesticides.

To explore the peripheral nervous system effects of regular agricultural pesticide use, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in highland Ecuador. Participants were 144 occupationally exposed farm members, 30 female farm members with little direct exposure, and 72 unexposed local town residents, frequency matched to the exposed people on age, sex, and education. Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides and dithiocarbamate fungicides accounted for the majority of pesticide applications, with leaking backpack sprayers, minimal use of personal protective equipment, and frequent dermal contact being the norm. In polytomous logistic regression analyses, applicators had significantly greater odds for more current peripheral nerve symptoms (odds ratio OR = 3.1), signs of poor coordination (OR = 4.3), abnormal deep tendon reflexes (OR = 2.9), and reduced power (OR = 2.1) compared to controls. Mean toe vibration threshold scores, on a logarithmic scale, were significantly higher among applicators (beta = 0.035) and those reporting previous pesticide poisonings (beta = 0.074). Such indicators of peripheral nervous system effects may be due to a variety of factors, including high pesticide exposure conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Pesticide residues in conventional, integrated pest management (IPM)-grown and organic foods: insights from three US data sets.

An analysis of pesticide residue data was performed to describe and quantify differences between organically grown and non-organic fresh fruits and vegetables. Data on residues in foods from three different market categories (conventionally grown, integrated pest management (IPM)-grown/no detectable residues (NDR), and organically grown) were compared using data from three test programmes: The Pesticide Data Program of the US Department of Agriculture; the Marketplace Surveillance Program of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation; and private tests by the Consumers Union, an independent testing organization. Organically grown foods consistently had about one-third as many residues as conventionally grown foods, and about one-half as many residues as found in IPM/NDR samples. Conventionally grown and IPM/NDR samples were also far more likely to contain multiple pesticide residues than were organically grown samples. Comparison of specific residues on specific crops found that residue concentrations in organic samples were consistently lower than in the other two categories, across all three data sets. The IPM/NDR category, based on data from two of the test programmes, had residues higher than those in organic samples but lower than those in conventionally grown foods.

Food Contamination↗
PubMed2001

Pesticide residues in grapes and wine in Italy.

Two hundred and one pesticides comprising 84 fungicides, 88 insecticides and 29 herbicides are registered in Italy for use on grapes. Recently, the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for 16 fungicides and five insecticides were established for wine. However, literature data shows that some MRLs for wine are not consistent with the corresponding values for grapes. In Italy, the Ministry of Health has the responsibility for checking pesticide contamination in fruit and vegetables in general distribution (i.e. grocery shops, food stores). From 1996 to 1999, out of 1532 grape samples analysed, levels of 1.0, 0.9, 1.8 and 1.9% in each year respectively were contaminated. As part of the National Residue Monitoring Programme, the Ministry of Agriculture carried out investigations of samples collected directly from the field (therefore of a known pesticide treatment history) in order to find the causes of the observed irregularities and to identify preventative measures. In 1996, 1998 and 1999, out of 481, 1195 and 1949 grape samples analysed, 7.9, 6.5 and 2.5% respectively were contaminated, while no residues were detected in 259 wine samples. The National Observatory on Pesticide Residues collects data from analyses performed by highly reliable, non-institutional laboratories on samples from farming cooperatives or individual forms, food companies, wholesale and retail markets. Of the 846 grapes samples and 190 wine samples collected in 1998 and 1999, a total of 6.1 and 2.1% respectively of grapes and 0% for all wine samples were found to contain residues.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

Unit-to-unit variability of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables.

Pesticide residue levels (36 pesticides and some of their metabolites) were determined in the individual units taken from large samples of apples, bananas, celery, kiwi fruit, oranges, peaches and nectarines, pears, plums, potatoes, and tomatoes. The 65 large samples (generally about 100-110 units, but only 45 units of celery) were purchased at retail or wholesale outlets in the UK. The lots from which the samples were drawn originated from 17 different countries. Average concentrations in the samples were in the approximate range 0.002-2 mg kg(-1). Unit-to-unit variability factors (97.5th percentile mg kg(-1)/average mg kg(-1)), for the pesticide/product combination data sets in which >10% of samples contained measurable residues (n = 106), were in the range 1.4-9.6 (11.1 based on a value of zero for data below reporting limits). Analytical variance contributed only a small proportion (up to 11%) to the overall variance of the 106 data sets. There was no evidence of a relationship between the variability factor and the commodity, country of origin, residue concentration or the physicochemical characteristics of the pesticide. The extent of variability appears to be determined at or about the time of pesticide application. Taking non-detectable residues as half the reporting limits, the frequency distribution of variability factors was approximately log-normal, with a geometric mean of 3.4. The corresponding 95% probability limits of the variability factors were calculated to be 1.6 and 7.6.

Food Contamination↗