Pesticide storage and use patterns in Minnesota households with children

As part of the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS), resident ial pesticide storage and use patterns were evaluated in a population-based sample of Minnesota households with children aged 3-13. In-home interviews and inventories were conducted to identify pesticide products stored and u sed in and around 308 households. This statistically based sample represent s more than 49,000 urban and rural households in the census tracts sampled. More than 850 unique products were identified using Environmental Protecti on Agency (EPA) registration numbers. Pesticide products were found in 97% and reported used in 88% of study households. Population-weighted mean valu es for pesticide storage and use were 6.0 and 3.1 products per household, r espectively. The most common active ingredients found were diethyl toluamid e (DEET) and related compounds, piperonyl butoxide, pyrethrins, dimethylami ne 2-[2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy] propionate ( MCPA) and chlorpyrifos. Househ old socio-demographic characteristics explained little of the variability i n pesticide storage and use patterns, and there were no significant differe nces in residential storage and use patterns between households located in urban versus non-urban census tracts. Although the prevalence of households with pesticide products was similar to recent national surveys, observed s torage and use rates were almost twice those obtained in recent national st udies, reflecting improved inventory techniques used by this study and/or i ncreased rates of pesticide presence and use in study households.