Grantee Research Project Results

Pesticide Exposures of Preschool Children Over Time

EPA Grant Number: R829363
Title: Pesticide Exposures of Preschool Children Over Time
Investigators: Wilson, Nancy K. , Chuang, Jane C. , Strauss, Warren J. , Lyu, Christopher
Institution: Battelle Memorial Institute
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2005
Project Amount: $1,340,414
RFA: Aggregate Exposure Assessment for Pesticides: Longitudinal Case Studies (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pesticides , Safer Chemicals , Human Health

Description:

The effects on children's exposures of recent changes in pesticide uses, such as those resulting from the federally mandated phase-outs of residential use of chlorpyrifos and diazinon and the increased use of alternative pesticides, are not established. Thus the main objective of this research is to estimate the longitudinal changes in aggregate exposures to targeted pesticides for selected preschool children in the same age group over four years. The targeted pesticides are used in homes and school buildings, on lawns, and on pets. They include pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides, and acid herbicides. We will test whether the aggregate exposures of the children to the targeted pesticides change or remain the same over a three- to four-year period.

The variability among preschool children's exposures in similar microenviromnents and among those in different microenvironments is also not well known. Thus a second objective is to estimate the interpersonal variability of these exposures among preschool children living in different homes and among preschool children living in the same homes. We will test whether the aggregate exposures to the targeted pesticides are the same or different for children in different households, and for such children in the same household.

Approach:

In the proposed longitudinal study, which builds on our previous and ongoing successful studies of preschool children's exposures to persistent pollutants, we will obtain aggregate pesticide exposure measurements over three separate sampling periods for selected preschool children and their young siblings. Each sampling period will cover three seasons: spring, summer, and fall. The study population comprises children in families having two or more preschool children in the household, most of whom have been identified or are participants in the Children's Total Exposure to Pesticides and Other Persistent Organic Pollutants (CTEPP) study, which is being conducted by Battelle for EPA.

Expected Results:

Information from this research will provide a data base of multimedia pesticide exposure information for preschool children approximately three times per year over three years, which can also be compared to the information from the CTEPP study, thus giving a total of four years of pesticide exposure information. Ancillary, interpretive information will link the exposures and potential doses to the children's activities and to residential sources. The longitudinal, age-related exposure and dose information and estimates of interpersonal variability in pesticide exposure will improve the capability of EPA and the scientific community to estimate risk and to understand the effects of changes in pesticide use on preschool children's exposures.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 8 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

multimedia, herbicides, insecticides, sensitive populations., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Health Risk Assessment, Environmental Chemistry, pesticides, Risk Assessments, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Disease & Cumulative Effects, Children's Health, genetic susceptability, Molecular Biology/Genetics, Risk Assessment, health effects, pesticide exposure, cumulative exposure, urban air, sensitive populations, multi-pathway study, long term exposure, dermal exposure reduction model, age-related differences, exposure, dermal contact, air pollution, Human Health Risk Assessment, children, cumulative pesticide exposure, children's vulnerablity, assessment of exposure, human exposure, insecticides, pesticide residues, exposure pathways, age dependent response, dietary exposure, human health, long-term exposure, environmental hazard exposures, biomedical research, body burden, exposure assessment

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.