Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Pesticide loadings of select organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides in urban public housing

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 18, pages 167–174 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

We investigated the magnitude and distribution of pyrethroid and organophosphate pesticide loadings within public housing dwellings in Boston, Massachusetts and compared the results using various sampling methods. We collected dust matrices from living room and kitchen in 42 apartments and analyzed for eleven pyrethoids (e.g., permethrin and cyfluthrin) and two organophosphates (chlorpyrifos and diazinon) in house dust using GC/MS. Agreement between sampling methods were evaluated using Spearman correlations and Kappa statistics. Permethrin and chlorpyrifos were detected in kitchen floor wipes in all homes, followed in frequency of detects by diazinon (98%), cypermethrin (90%) and cyfluthrin (71%). At least six pesticides were detected in kitchen floor wipes in the majority of the homes (range 3–8). Positive and statistically significant correlations among dust matrices were observed between kitchen floor wipes and living room vacuum dust, including for diazinon (r=0.62) and cyfluthrin (r=0.69). Detection of several pesticides including banned or restricted use products in some public housing units, underscore the need for alternative pest management strategies that embrace the safe and judicious use of pest control products.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Relevant articles

Open Access articles citing this article.

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Get just this article for as long as you need it

$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1

References

  • Adgate J.L., Kukowski A., Stroebel C., Shubat P.J., Morrell S., and Quackenboss J.J., et al. Pesticide storage and use patterns in Minnesota households with children. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 2000: 10 (2): 159–167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett D.H., and Furtaw Jr E.J. Fugacity-based indoor residential pesticide fate model. Environ Sci Technol 2004: 38 (7): 2142–2152.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berger-preieß E., Preieß A., Sielaff K., Raabe M., Ilgen B., and Levsen K. The behaviour of pyrethroids indoors: a model study. Indoor Air 1997: 7: 248–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berkowitz G.S., Obel J., Deych E., Lapinski R., Godbold J., and Liu Z., et al. Exposure to indoor pesticides during pregnancy in a multiethnic, urban cohort. Environ Health Perspect 2003: 111 (1): 79–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berkowitz G.S., Wetmur J.G., Birman-Deych E., Obel J., Lapinski R.H., and Godbold J.H., et al. In utero pesticide exposure maternal paraoxonase activity, and head circumference. Environ Health Perspect 2004: 112 (3): 388–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brenner B.L., Markowitz S., Rivera M., Romero H., Weeks M., and Sanchez E., et al. Integrated pest management in an urban community: a successful partnership for prevention. Environ Health Perspect 2003: 111 (13): 1649–1653.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley J.D., Meadows A.T., Kadin M.E., Le Beau M.M., Siegel S., and Robison L.L. Pesticide exposures in children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cancer 2000: 89 (11): 2315–2321.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clougherty J.E., Levy J.I., Hynes H.P., and Spengler J.D. A longitudinal analysis of the efficacy of environmental interventions on asthma-related quality of life and symptoms among children in urban public housing. J Asthma 2006: 43 (5): 335–343.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colt J.S., Lubin J., Camann D., Davis S., Cerhan J., and Severson R.K., et al. Comparison of pesticide levels in carpet dust and self-reported pest treatment practices in four US sites. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 2004: 14 (1): 74–83.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels J.L., Olshan A.F., Teschke K., Hertz-Picciotto I., Savitz D.A., and Blatt J., et al. Residential pesticide exposure and neuroblastoma. Epidemiology 2001: 12 (1): 20–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fenske R.A., Curry P.B., Wandelmaier F., and Ritter L. Development of dermal and respiratory sampling procedures for human exposure to pesticides in indoor environments. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 1991: 1 (1): 11–30.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fenske R.A., Lu C., Barr D., and Needham L. Children's exposure to chlorpyrifos and parathion in an agricultural community in central Washington State. Environ Health Perspect 2002: 110 (5): 549–553.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fenske R.A., Lu C., Simcox N.J., Loewenherz C., Touchstone J., and Moate T.F., et al. Strategies for assessing children's organophosphorus pesticide exposures in agricultural communities. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 2000: 10 (6 Part 2): 662–671.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flower K.B., Hoppin J.A., Lynch C.F., Blair A., Knott C., and Shore D.L., et al. Cancer risk and parental pesticide application in children of Agricultural Health Study participants. Environ Health Perspect 2004: 112 (5): 631–635.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon S.M., Callahan P.J., Nishioka M.G., Brinkman M.C., O'Rourke M.K., and Lebowitz M.D., et al. Residential environmental measurements in the national human exposure assessment survey (NHEXAS) pilot study in Arizona: preliminary results for pesticides and VOCs. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 1999: 9 (5): 456–470.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gurunathan S., Robson M., Freeman N., Buckley B., Roy A., and Meyer R., et al. Accumulation of chlorpyrifos on residential surfaces and toys accessible to children. Environ Health Perspect 1998: 106 (1): 9–16.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He F. Synthetic pyrethroids. Toxicology 1994: 91 (1): 43–49.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kinney P.L., Northridge M.E., Chew G.L., Gronning E., Joseph E., and Correa J.C., et al. On the front lines: an environmental asthma intervention in New York city. Am J Public Health 2002: 92 (1): 24–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitch B.T., Chew G., Burge H.A., Muilenberg M.L., Weiss S.T., and Platts-Mills T.A., et al. Socioeconomic predictors of high allergen levels in homes in the greater Boston area. Environ Health Perspect 2000: 108 (4): 301–307.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Landrigan P.J., Claudio L., Markowitz S.B., Berkowitz G.S., Brenner B.L., and Romero H., et al. Pesticides and inner-city children: exposures, risks, and prevention. Environ Health Perspect 1999: 107 (Suppl 3): 431–437.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levy J.I., Brugge D., Peters J.L., Clougherty J.E., and Saddler S.S. A community-based participatory research study of multifaceted in-home environmental interventions for pediatric asthmatics in public housing. Soc Sci Med 2006: 63 (8): 2191–2203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis R.G., Fortmann R.C., and Camann D.E. Evaluation of methods for monitoring the potential exposure of small children to pesticides in the residential environment. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 1994: 26 (1): 37–46.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lioy P.J., Freeman N.C., and Millette J.R. Dust: a metric for use in residential and building exposure assessment and source characterization. Environ Health Perspect 2002: 110 (10): 969–983.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loewenherz C., Fenske R.A., Simcox N.J., Bellamy G., and Kalman D. Biological monitoring of organophosphorus pesticide exposure among children of agricultural workers in central Washington State. Environ Health Perspect 1997: 105 (12): 1344–1353.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matoba Y., Takimoto Y., and Kato T. Indoor behavior and risk assessment following residual spraying of D-phenothrin and D-tetramethrin. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1998: 59 (3): 191–199.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan M.K., Sheldon L.S., Croghan C.W., Jones P.A., Robertson G.L., and Chuang J.C., et al. Exposures of preschool children to chlorpyrifos and its degradation product 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol in their everyday environments. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 2005: 15 (4): 297–309.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishioka M.G., Burkholder H.M., Brinkman M.C., and Lewis R.G. Distribution of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in floor dust throughout homes following homeowner and commercial lawn applications: quantitative effects of children, pets, and shoes. Environ Sci Tech 1999: 33 (9): 1359–1365.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pang Y., MacIntosh D.L., Camann D.E., and Ryan P.B. Analysis of aggregate exposure to chlorpyrifos in the NHEXAS-Maryland investigation. Environ Health Perspect 2002: 110 (3): 235–240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quackenboss J.J., Pellizzari E.D., Shubat P., Whitmore R.W., Adgate J.L., and Thomas K.W., et al. Design strategy for assessing multi-pathway exposure for children: the Minnesota Children's Pesticide Exposure Study (MNCPES). J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 2000: 10 (2): 145–158.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quandt S.A., Arcury T.A., Rao P., Snively B.M., Camann D.E., and Doran A.M., et al. Agricultural and residential pesticides in wipe samples from farmworker family residences in North Carolina and Virginia. Environ Health Perspect 2004: 112 (3): 382–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudel R.A., Brody J.G., Spengler J.D., Vallarino J., Geno P.W., and Sun G., et al. Identification of selected hormonally active agents and animal mammary carcinogens in commercial and residential air and dust samples. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 2001: 51 (4): 499–513.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salam M.T., Li Y.F., Langholz B., and Gilliland F.D. Early-life environmental risk factors for asthma: findings from the Children” Study. Environ Health Perspect 2004: 112 (6): 760–765.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Version 9 SAS Institute Inc: Cary, NC, 2002.

  • Sim J., and Wright C.C. The kappa statistic in reliability studies: use, interpretation, and sample size requirements. Phys Ther 2005: 85 (3): 257–268.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simcox N.J., Fenske R.A., Wolz S.A., Lee I.C., and Kalman D.A. Pesticides in household dust and soil: exposure pathways for children of agricultural families. Environ Health Perspect 1995: 103 (12): 1126–1134.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Surgan M.H., Congdon T., Primi C., Lamster S., and Loiu-Jacques J. Pest control in public housing, schools and parks: urban children at risk. In: Bureau DoLE, (ed.). New York State Library, Albany, NY, 2002, 202–7643.

  • Todd G.D., Wohlers D., and Citra M. Toxicology profile for pyrethrins and pyrethroids, US Department of Health and Human Services. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry: Atlanta, GA, 2003 http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp155.html.

  • US EPA. Chlorpyrifos. Revised Risk Assessment and Agreement with Registrants, Washington DC USA, 2000a.

  • US EPA. Diazinon. Revised HED Preliminary Human Health Risk Assessment for the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED). D262343, PC Code:057801. List A, Case No. 0238 Washington, DC: USA, 2000b.

  • US EPA. Pesticides industry Sales and Usage Report. 1998 and 1999 Market Estimates. Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Washington, DC: USA, 2002.

  • US EPA. Restricted Use Products Report. June 2003.

  • Whitmore R.W., Immerman F.W., Camann D.E., Bond A.E., Lewis R.G., and Schaum J.L. Non-occupational exposures to pesticides for residents of two US cities. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 1994: 26 (1): 47–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whyatt R.M., Camann D.E., Kinney P.L., Reyes A., Ramirez J., and Dietrich J., et al. Residential pesticide use during pregnancy among a cohort of urban minority women. Environ Health Perspect 2002: 110 (5): 507–514.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whyatt R.M., Rauh V., Barr D.B., Camann D.E., Andrews H.F., and Garfinkel R., et al. Prenatal insecticide exposures and birth weight and length among an urban minority cohort. Environ Health Perspect 2004: 112 (10): 1125–1132.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zota A., Adamkiewicz G., Levy J.I., and Spengler J.D. Ventilation in public housing: implications for indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations. Indoor Air 2005: 15 (6): 393–401.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Funding was provided by US Department of Housing and Urban Development (grant# MALHH0077-00), W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Boston Foundation and Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust Melvin W. First Scholarship and Akira Yamaguchi Endowment. Special thanks to the families who participated in the study, as well as the community partners for their cooperation and commitment to the success of this project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Rhona Julien, Gary Adamkiewicz, Jonathan I Levy, Deborah Bennett & John D Spengler

  2. University of California, Davis, California, USA

    Deborah Bennett

  3. Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Marcia Nishioka

Authors
  1. Rhona Julien
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gary Adamkiewicz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jonathan I Levy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Deborah Bennett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marcia Nishioka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. John D Spengler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rhona Julien.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Julien, R., Adamkiewicz, G., Levy, J. et al. Pesticide loadings of select organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides in urban public housing. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 18, 167–174 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500576

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500576

Keywords

  • chlorpyrifos
  • house dust
  • pesticides
  • public housing
  • pyrethoids
  • urban

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links