NON-OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO PESTICIDES FOR RESIDENTS OF 2 US CITIES

The Non-Occupational Pesticide Exposure Study, funded by the U.S. Envi ronmental Protection Agency, was designed to assess total human exposu res to 32 pesticides and pesticide degradation products in the non-occ upational environment; however, the study focused primarily on inhalat ion exposures. Two sites-Jacksonville, Florida (USA) and Springfield/C hicopee, Massachusetts (USA)-were studied during three seasons: Summer 1986 (Jacksonville only), Spring 1987, and Winter 1988. Probability s amples of 49 to 72 persons participated in individual site/seasons. Th e primary environmental monitoring consisted of 24-hr indoor, personal , and outdoor air samples analyzed by gas chromtography/mass spectrome try and gas chromatography/electron capture detection. Indoor and pers onal air concentrations tended to be higher in Jacksonville than in Sp ringfield/Chicopee. Concentrations tended to be highest in summer, low er in spring, and lowest in winter. Indoor and personal air concentrat ions were generally comparable and were usually much higher than outdo or air concentrations. Inhalation exposure exceeded dietary exposure f or cyclodiene termiticides and for pesticides used mainly in the home. Dietary exposures were greater for many of the other pesticides. Inha lation risks were uncertain for termiticides (depending on rates of de gradation) but were negligible for other pesticides. The data were ins ufficient to support risk assessments for food, dermal contact, or hou se dust exposures.