You are here:
MOVEMENT AND DEPOSITION OF PESTICIDES WITHIN RESIDENCES AFTER INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR APPLICATIONS
Citation:
Lewis, R G., C. R. Fortune, F. T. Blanchard, AND D. E. Camann. MOVEMENT AND DEPOSITION OF PESTICIDES WITHIN RESIDENCES AFTER INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR APPLICATIONS. Presented at AWMA 93rd Annual Conference and Exhibition, Salt Lake City, UT, June 19-23, 2000.
Impact/Purpose:
The goal of this task is to contribute to a better understanding of human exposure to pesticides, especially for small children by developing methods to characterize sources and pathways in and around the residential environment. We will support the science behind FQPA and assist the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) in the development of guidelines for the assessment of residential exposure to pesticides. Specific research objectives include: (i) to evaluate and develop methods for measuring pesticides in air using passive/diffusive samplers. Assess and refine devices for the collection of surface transferable pesticide residues and to establish transfer efficiencies; (ii) to develop and apply analytical methods for new and emerging pesticides using both gas and liquid chromatographic methods in support of the National Exposure Research Laboratory's (NERL) Human Exposure Measurement Project; and, (iii) to conduct pilot studies investigating chiral chromatographic methods.
Description:
In a study begun in 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigated the temporal and spatial distributions of pesticides applied by homeowners and commercial applicators for indoor crack and crevice and exterior perimeter treatments. In each participating household, pesticide levels in indoor air at 10-cm and 75-cm above the floor (child's breathing zone) were measured pre- and post-application (0-14 days), along with dermal- and vacuum-dislodgeable floor residues, deposition on table tops and dinnerware, absorption by surrogate food, and residues on children's hands and toys. Surface soil residues were measured in the case of perimeter application. Monitoring devices and methods used include the URG 2500 air samplers (PM2.5 inlet), the HVS3 vacuum sampler, the PUF Roller, hand wipes and various techniques for deposition monitoring. Results from the study demonstrate the nature and magnitude of translocation of pesticides from the areas of application to surfaces accessible for human contact. This paper presents data from two indoor applications of diazinon and one outdoor (perimeter) application of chlorpyrifos. The post-application redisribution of the pesticides within the home and the exposure potentials via various routes (respiration, dermal contact, ingestion) are discussed.
This work has been wholly or in part funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under contract 68-D5-0049 to ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc. It has been subjected to Agency review and approved for publication.