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PESTICIDE TRANSFER EFFICIENCY FROM HOUSEHOLD SURFACES TO FOODS
Citation:
Rohrer, C., T Hieber, L J. Melnyk, AND M R. Berry Jr. PESTICIDE TRANSFER EFFICIENCY FROM HOUSEHOLD SURFACES TO FOODS. Presented at ISEA Annual Conference, Monterey, CA, October 24-27, 2000.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to reduce uncertainties in exposure assessments of young children by improving EPA's ability to measure exposures in the context of aggregate and cumulative exposure assessments. The general objective of this research is to support FQPA children's exposure assessment efforts by improving procedures and reducing uncertainty in measurements for dietary exposure of young children, a critically needed area for improved risk assessment. Specifically, this research will evaluate a protocol and companion model for measuring or otherwise assessing the combined dietary intake of a young child as influenced by pesticides, or other environmental contaminants, which contaminate their foods during the eating process (indirect ingestion exposure). This research will continue to develop the important factors which are needed to characterize excess intake of pesticides by young children. Specifically, the research will measure pesticide surface transfer efficiencies for food contacts with surfaces and eating activity patterns of young children that define the frequency of contacts with contaminated surfaces. A series of reports/products are anticipated by the end of FY05.
Description:
Application of pesticides around homes presents a potential for exposure to young children. Contaminated surfaces can be contacted by children's hands or foods which could allow transfer of pesticides. The exposures caused by these contacts are uncertain because the amount of pesticide transferred is unknown. This study determined the percent transfer efficiency from household surfaces to specific food items using an isopropanol wipe and a C-18 filter contained on a dermal press sampler to quantify pesticide surface residues. Commercial aqueous formulations of the target pesticides were applied by pipette to hardwood flooring, ceramic tile and carpet. Foods were contacted with each surface for 1, 10 and 60 minutes with and without addtional force applied. Duplicate surfaces were wiped and pressed to determine the levels of pesticides available on the surfaces for transfer. Additional surfaces were contacted with bread, chicken nuggets, fries and bananas for 10 min without added force. The highest transfer efficiencies for all pesticides occurred for apples contacting hardwood flooring. Individual pesticide transfer efficiency varied significantly for each surface. For example, malathion, chlorpyrifos and isofenphos transfer efficiencies from hardwood to apple were greater than 60% and diazinon and permethrins were <15% for a contact time of 10 minutes without contact force. Minimal transfer of pesticides from carpet were measured from either wipes or foods. Generaly, increased contact time and applied contact force to the foods increased transfers of pesticides for any surface. For example, cis and transfer permethrin transfer efficiencies increased <15% to around 50% when contact force was applied.