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AGRICULTURAL HEALTH STUDY/PESTICIDE EXPOSURE STUDY
Citation:
Thomas, K W., D. P. Sandler, A. Blair, AND M. R. Alavanja. AGRICULTURAL HEALTH STUDY/PESTICIDE EXPOSURE STUDY. Presented at AHS National Advisory Panel Meeting, Chapel Hill, NC, March 8-9, 2001.
Impact/Purpose:
The primary goal of the AHS Pesticide Exposure Study (AHS/PES) is to measure exposure to applied pesticides for a subset of the cohort of private pesticide applicators and to provide data to evaluate exposure algorithms developed for exposure classification in the study cohort.
Description:
The Agricultural Health Study (AHS) is a prospective epidemiologic study of a large cohort of pesticide applicators and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina. The Pesticide Exposure Study is a sub-study to evaluate exposure factors and to provide data to assess exposure classification procedures. Exposure to two applied pesticides (2,4-D and chlorpyrifos) will be measured for up to 160 applicators and their families. Applicators are selected based on application methods and uses of personal protective equipment of interest for the epidemiological study cohort. Two exposure measurement approaches are being employed: a) a combination of dermal patch, hand wipe, and personal air measurements collected during an observed handling, mixing, loading, and application (HMLA) and, b) urinary biomarker measurements from samples collected in the morning before and at two time intervals after the observed HMLA. A target goal of monitoring for 28 applicators was set for Year 1 work in Iowa; however, only 10 applicators were monitored due to scheduling delays and an early planting season. Participation information and pesticide use data are provided for Year 1 monitoring participants. Preliminary measurement results will be shown for Year 1 monitoring, including examples of dermal sample concentrations and urine concentrations for for applicators and family members. The study will continue in Year 2 in Iowa and North Carolina, with a goal of monitoring 70 applicators and repeat monitoring for 10 applicators. Current participation information is provided for Year 2 screening and recruitment to date.
This work has been funded in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has been subjected to Agency review and approved for publication. Mention of trade names of commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.