1. ^aNational Exposure Research Laboratory, US EPA, MD-E205-04, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
2. ^bBattelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave., Columbus, OH 43201, USA
3. ^cDivision of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 1600 Clifton Rd., N.E., MS-E23, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
4. ^dDuval County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health and Engineering, 900 University Blvd. N., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32211, USA

Correspondence: Dr. Nicolle S. Tulve, National Exposure Research Laboratory, US EPA, MD-E205-04, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. Tel: +1 919 541 1077. Fax: +1 919 541 0905. E-mail: tulve.nicolle@epa.gov

Received 13 February 2007; Accepted 25 May 2007; Published online 12 September 2007.

Abstract

A pilot observational exposure study was performed to evaluate methods for collecting multimedia measurements (air, dust, food, urine) and activity patterns to assess potential exposures of young children to pesticides in their homes. Nine children (mean age=5 years) and their caregivers participated in this study, performed in the Duval County, Florida, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Duval County Health Department. For all nine children, the total time reported for sleeping and napping ranged from 9.5 to 14 h per day, indoor quiet time from 0 to 5.5 h per day, indoor active time from 0.75 to 5.5 h per day, outdoor quiet time from 0 to 1.5 h per day, and outdoor active time from 0.5 to 6.5 h per day. Each home had one to three pesticide products present, with aerosols being most common. Pesticide inventories, however, were not useful for predicting pesticide levels in the home. Synthetic pyrethroids were the most frequently identified active ingredients in the products present in each home. Fifteen pesticide active ingredients were measured in the application area wipes (not detected (ND) to 580 ng/cm²), 13 in the play area wipes (ND-117 ng/cm²), and 14 in the indoor air samples (ND-378 ng/m³) and the socks (ND-1000 ng/cm²). Cis-permethrin, trans-permethrin, and cypermethrin were measured in all nine homes. Chlorpyrifos was measured in all nine homes even though it was not reported used by the participants. All urine samples contained measurable concentrations of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA). The median 3-PBA urinary concentration for the nine children was 2.2 g/l. A wide variety of pesticide active ingredients were measured in these nine homes at median concentrations that were often higher than reported previously in similar studies. These data highlight the need for additional observational studies in regions where pesticides are used in order to understand the factors that affect young children's exposures and the education/mitigation strategies that can be used to reduce children's exposures.