'Farmhouse fears: outdoor pesticides come inside.

Multiple studies have described the widespread presence of pesticides in American residences, while another body of research indicates that pesticides used in agriculture find their way into farmworkers' homes. Exposure to in-home pesticides generates concern about potential health effects, particularly for children because their small size and typical behaviors (such as playing on the floor) can translate to high doses. Additionally, because children are still growing and developing, they are more vulnerable to detrimental effects. According to a recent study led by Sara A. Quandt of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, migrant farmworkers' children may be especially at risk for exposure to a wide array of pesticide [EHP 112:382-387].

Quandt's team worked in southern Virginia and western North Carolina, where they recruited 41 migrant farmworker families to participate in their study, which is part of a larger NIEHS-funded project. Each household had at least one child aged 1-7 years living there. Quandt and her colleagues hypothesized that migrant farmworkers' homes would likely contain multiple pesticides because these workers are often the ones who apply chemicals, and they perform hand labor in fields treated with pesticides. In addition, these families often live close to the fields and are thus affected by pesticide drift. Migrant housing also is frequently in poor repair and therefore more likely to require pest control.

The researchers took wipe samples of floors, toys, and children's hands, and analyzed the samples for 8 pesticides used in local farming ("agricultural pesticides') and 13 that have been widely found in American homes ("residential pesticides"). Further data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire and observations of the home and its surroundings.

At least I residential pesticide was detected in 39 of the 41 homes, and 20 homes had traces of 1 or more agricultural pesticides. Pesticide residue on children's hands or toys was strongly associated with there being pesticides on floor samples. Many homes contained multiple pesticide residues. For example, 33 homes had 3 of more residential pesticides; 12 of these contained traces of 6-8 pesticides. Of the 21 pesticides for which the researchers tested, 3 were not found in any home.

Significant predictors of agricultural pesticides appearing in homes were proximity of the residence to fields and farmworker application of pesticides at work. Only field proximity appeared significant when multiple potential predictors were considered. Homes in poor repair, which were judged more difficult to clean, had a greater likelihood of containing residential pesticide residues.

More information is needed about pesticide exposures experienced by farmworkers and their families. Further research should include such factors as the work environment, workers' safety and hygiene practices, and residential pesticide application practices. This information would allow better understanding of the potential health risks to farmworkers and their families and aid in developing strategies to avert them.