Utilization of the Food Quality Protection Act's Infant and Children Safety Factor and Implications for Dietary Pesticide Exposure in Children

摘要

Children are more vulnerable to the adverse health effects of pesticides because of their developing organ systems, immature metabolic functioning, less varied diet, and higher consumption of food per unit body weight than adults. In 1996, the US Congress enacted the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) to address children's unique vulnerabilities to pesticides. A major component of FQPA requires the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider an additional 10-fold safety factor to protect infants and children when assessing the health risk of pesticides. To evaluate FQPA's success in protecting children from potential pesticide exposure, we first identified relevant pesticides based on their predicted exposure profile in children. Pesticides with both high residue levels and frequent overlapping use on produce that are consumed at proportionally higher rates by children than adults were selected, using data from EPA's 2011 Exposure Factors Handbook and the US's Pesticide Data Program. Results indicate that children (0-5 years) consume on average greater than seven times more apples, peaches, and pears by body weight than adults. Six pesticides used on these fruits were identified from the selection process, including the organophosphates phosmet and azinphos-methyl. Finally, we analyzed the evolution of EPA risk assessments for the identified pesticides, from those conducted prior to FQPA implementation to current assessments. Safety factor selection and its impact on allowed pesticide residues on apples, peaches, and pears were analyzed to assess the role of FQPA's 10x safety factor in protecting children against potential dietary exposure. Data gaps and uncertainties of studies cited in the risk assessments were considered to evaluate the context and validity of safety factor decisions. There is evidence that safety factor application has changed over time, potentially affecting FQPA's ability to address children's vulnerabilities to pesticide exposure.