Urinary Pesticide Metabolites in the U.S. Population
Author Information
Author(s): Dana Boyd Barr, Lee-Yang Wong, Roberto Bravo, Gayanga Weerasekera, Martins Odetokun, Paula Restrepo, Do-Gyun Kim, Carolina Fernandez, Ralph D. Whitehead Jr., Jose Perez, Maribel Gallegos, Bryan L. Williams, Larry L. Needham
Primary Institution: Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
Hypothesis
What are the urinary concentrations of dialkylphosphate metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides in the U.S. general population from 1999 to 2004?
Conclusion
Children and older adults have higher exposures to organophosphorus pesticides than other population segments, but overall exposures have declined over the years.
Supporting Evidence
- Adolescents were two to three times more likely to have diethylphosphate concentrations above the 95th percentile than adults.
- Senior adults were 3.8 times more likely to be above the 95th percentile for dimethyldithiophosphate than adolescents.
- Overall exposures to organophosphorus pesticides have declined during the last six years.
Takeaway
This study looked at how much pesticide people have in their pee. It found that kids and older people have more pesticides in their bodies, but overall, people are getting less exposure to these chemicals.
Methodology
Analyzed 7,456 urine samples from NHANES 1999-2004 to measure six dialkylphosphate metabolites.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on urinary metabolites which may not accurately reflect specific pesticide exposure.
Limitations
The lack of specificity of DAP metabolites for a given OP pesticide limits the conclusions that can be drawn about specific exposures.
Participant Demographics
Participants aged 6 years and older, stratified by age, sex, and race/ethnicity.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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