Preschool-Age Children's Pesticide Exposures in Child Care Centers and at Home in Northern California.
Abbey Alkon, Robert B Gunier, Kimberly Hazard and 5 others
PMID 34629233WHAT IT FOUND
Preschool children in California wore silicone wristbands that detected multiple pesticides, with cypermethrin most common.
Exposures varied within centers and between home and center, so a child's risk could not be inferred from the center alone.
Key findings
01Of 125 children with adequate wristband data, cypermethrin was detected in 50% and had the highest median concentration, 2.3 ng/g.
02Pesticide levels were not similar for all children in the same center, and center-only and home/center wristband exposures were only weakly to moderately correlated.
03No pests observed was linked to higher bifenthrin, fipronil, and trans-permethrin, while physical activity and doormats were not associated with pesticide levels.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was a convenience sample from 33 child care centers, so it may not represent other regions or child care settings. Only 125 of 170 enrolled children had wristband data for the required wear time, and some center-only wristbands were contaminated by being worn home. Exposure was measured only during weekdays from fall to early winter, with no weekend or other location data. Family information was self-reported, and diet was not measured, so unmeasured sources may have contributed. County pesticide use data were not specific to each home or center. The study did not test any intervention, so associations may not show cause. Several associations were unexpected, such as no pests observed being linked to higher pesticide levels.
Declared interests
The work is listed as supported by NIH extramural research. Dr. Kim A. Anderson disclosed a financial interest in MyExposome, which markets products related to the reported research. Oregon State University reviewed and approved the arrangement. Dr. Asa Bradman is a volunteer board member of The Organic Center and a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Standards Board. None of the other authors declared actual or potential competing financial interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not tell families that handwashing or daily cleaning will lower pesticide exposure based on this paper. The study did not test these actions, and the associations were mixed and sometimes opposite.