Pilot Study to Evaluate Methods for the Assessment of Exposure of Small Childrento Pesticides in the Residential Environment

摘要

A pilot study was conducted to evaluate methods of assessment of exposure ofinfants and toddlers to pesticide residues around the household. Nine homes with children aged six months to five years were selected on the basis of pesticide indoor and outdoor use. House dust was collected at each house using a specially designed cyclone vacuum system. Dislodgeable residues were collected from floors by means of a polyurethane foam (PUF) roller weighted to simulate a 9 kg child. Technician's hand presses, followed by 2-propanol rinses, were performed for side-by-side comparison to the PUF roller. The hands of the children were similarly washed. Soil and entry-way dirt samples were also collected and air was sampled at the breathing heights of small children, i.e., 12 cm and 75 cm above the floor. All samples were analyzed for a list of 31 common household pesticides. Questionnaires were administered to participants regarding pesticide usage, child activities (including frequency of hand-to-mouth contact), and dietary habits. Results are discussed in terms of method performance and relative amounts of pesticides found in the various media sampled.