'We collected indoor dust samples from homes in the Salinas Valley of California. Of 22 pesticides measured in 504 samples, permethrins and the organophosphate chlorpyrifos were present in highest amounts,' scientists writing in the journal Environmental Science & Technology report.
'In multivariate Tobit regression models among samples from 197 separate residences, reported agricultural uses of chlorpyrifos, a herbicide (2,3,5,6-tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA)), and a fungicide (iprodione) on agricultural fields were significantly (p < 0.01) associated, with 83%, 19%, and 49% increases, respectively, in dust concentrations for each kg applied per day, near participant homes, in the month or season prior to sample collection. However, agricultural use of diazinon, which was 2.2 times that of chlorpyrifos, and of permethrin were not significantly associated with dust levels. Other variables independently associated with dust levels included temperature and rainfall, farmworkers storing work shoes in the home, storing a diazinon product in the home, housing density, having a home less clean, and having an air conditioner. Permethrins, chlorpyrifos, DCPA, and iprodione have either a log octanol-water partition coefficient (K-ow,) greater than 4.0, a very low vapor pressure, or both,' wrote M.E. Harnly and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: 'Health risk assessments for pesticides that have these properties may need to include evaluation of exposures to house dust.'
Harnly and colleagues published their study in Environmental Science & Technology (Pesticides in Dust from Homes in an Agricultural Area. Environmental Science & Technology, 2009;43(23):8767-8774).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting M.E. Harnly, California Dept. of Public Health, Environmental Health Invest Branch, Richmond, CA, USA.
The publisher of the journal Environmental Science & Technology can be contacted at: American Chemical Society, 1155 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA.
Keywords: Agricultural, Agriculture, Farmworker.
This article was prepared by Food Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Food Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.
