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Development of models to predict dose of pesticides in professional turf applicators

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 12, pages 130–144 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies designed to assess the chronic effects of pesticides are limited by inadequate measurements of exposures. Although cohort studies have been initiated to evaluate the effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and other pesticides in professional turf applicators, they may have limited power to detect significant health risks and may be subject to bias from exposure measurement error. In this study, the doses of 2,4-D, mecoprop [2-(4-chloro-2 methylphenoxy) propionic acid, MCPP] and dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) were evaluated in a group of 98 professional turf applicators from 20 companies across southwestern Ontario. During a 1-week period (Saturday to Thursday), the volume of pesticide (active ingredient) applied was only weakly related to the total dose of 2,4-D absorbed (R2=0.21). Two additional factors explained a large proportion of variation in dose: the type of spray nozzle used and the use of gloves while spraying. Individuals who used a fan-type nozzle had significantly higher doses than those who used a gun-type nozzle. Glove use was associated with significantly lower doses. Job satisfaction and current smoking influenced the dose but were not highly predictive. In the final multiple regression models predicting total absorbed dose of 2,4-D and mecoprop, approximately 63–68% of the variation was explained. The future application of these models for epidemiologic research will depend on the availability of information and records from employers, the feasibility of contacting study subjects and cost.

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Abbreviations

2, 4-D:

2, 4,-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

2, 45-TP:

2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxypropanoic acid

CV:

coefficient of variation

Dicamba:

36-dichloro-o-anisic acid

DMA:

dimethylamine salt

MCPA:

4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid

MCPP:

mecoprop, 2-(4-chloro-2 methylphenoxy) propionic acid

MOEE:

Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy

MSE:

mean squared error

n :

number

NHL:

non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

OMAFRA:

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

PCOs:

professional pest control operators

RR:

relative risk

SAS:

Statistical Analysis System

SE:

standard error

SMR:

standardized mortality ratio

VIF:

variance inflation factor

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the laboratory and research assistance of Paul Bozek, Alexis Purdham and Craig Johnson. Frank Mena and Brian Ripley analyzed the urine samples for pesticides at the Pesticide and Trace Contaminants Laboratory of the OMAFRA. Further, we appreciate the efforts of Dr. Sheila Hoar-Zahm during proposal preparation and editorial review comments from Drs. Nancy Kreiger, John McLaughlin, Laszlo Endrenyi and Donald Cole. This work was funded by Health Canada through a National Health Research and Development Program Research Grant (project no. 6606-5344-502). The first author was supported with a NHRDP PhD Research Training Award, an Ontario Graduate Scholarship and a University of Toronto Doctoral Fellowship. Although thanking each volunteer in the study is not possible, we recognize their contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate Department of Community Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    SHELLEY A HARRIS, ANDREA M SASS-KORTSAK, PAUL N COREY & JAMES T PURDHAM

  2. Gage Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    ANDREA M SASS-KORTSAK, PAUL N COREY & JAMES T PURDHAM

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  1. SHELLEY A HARRIS
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Correspondence to SHELLEY A HARRIS.

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HARRIS, S., SASS-KORTSAK, A., COREY, P. et al. Development of models to predict dose of pesticides in professional turf applicators. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 12, 130–144 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500208

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