Journal article
Assessment of a pesticide exposure intensity algorithm in the agricultural health study
Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, Vol.20(6), pp.559-569
09/2010
DOI: 10.1038/jes.2009.54
PMCID: PMC2935660
PMID: 19888312
Abstract
The accuracy of the exposure assessment is a critical factor in epidemiological investigations of pesticide exposures and health in agricultural populations. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate questionnaire-based exposure metrics. The Agricultural Health Study (AHS) is a prospective cohort study of pesticide applicators who provided detailed questionnaire information on their use of specific pesticides. A field study was conducted for a subset of the applicators enrolled in the AHS to assess a pesticide exposure algorithm through comparison of algorithm intensity scores with measured exposures. Pre- and post-application urinary biomarker measurements were made for 2,4-D (n=69) and chlorpyrifos (n=17) applicators. Dermal patch, hand wipe, and personal air samples were also collected. Intensity scores were calculated using information from technician observations and an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Correlations between observer and questionnaire intensity scores were high (Spearman's r=0.92 and 0.84 for 2,4-D and chlorpyrifos, respectively). Intensity scores from questionnaires for individual applications were significantly correlated with post-application urinary concentrations for both 2,4-D (r=0.42, P<0.001) and chlorpyrifos (r=0.53, P=0.035) applicators. Significant correlations were also found between intensity scores and estimated hand loading, estimated body loading, and air concentrations for 2,4-D applicators (r-values 0.28-0.50, P-values<0.025). Correlations between intensity scores and dermal and air measures were generally lower for chlorpyrifos applicators using granular products. A linear regression model indicated that the algorithm factors for individual applications explained 24% of the variability in post-application urinary 2,4-D concentration, which increased to 60% when the pre-application urine concentration was included. The results of the measurements support the use of the algorithm for estimating questionnaire-based exposure intensities in the AHS for liquid pesticide products. Refinement of the algorithm may be possible using the results from this and other measurement studies.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Assessment of a pesticide exposure intensity algorithm in the agricultural health study
- Creators
- Kent W Thomas - US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA. thomas.kent@epa.govMustafa DosemeciJoseph B CobleJane A HoppinLinda S SheldonGuadalupe ChapaCarry W CroghanPaul A JonesCharles E KnottCharles F LynchDale P SandlerAaron E BlairMichael C Alavanja
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, Vol.20(6), pp.559-569
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1038/jes.2009.54
- PMID
- 19888312
- PMCID
- PMC2935660
- ISSN
- 1559-064X
- eISSN
- 1559-064X
- Grant note
- Z01-CP010119 / NCI NIH HHS Z01 CP010119 / Intramural NIH HHS Z01 CP010119-12 / Intramural NIH HHS Z01 ES049030 / Intramural NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2010
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology
- Record Identifier
- 9983995034302771
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