Tracking Residential Pesticide Use with Sales Data
Author Information
Author(s): Nyree Bekarian, Devon Payne-Sturges, Stuart Edmondson, Bill Chism, Tracey J. Woodruff
Primary Institution: US Environmental Protection Agency
Hypothesis
Can point-of-sale data effectively track the purchase of home-use permethrin-containing pesticides?
Conclusion
A point-of-sale database is a useful tool for tracking the purchase of home-use pesticides, despite its limitations.
Supporting Evidence
- Residential-use pesticides are a major source of pesticide exposure in the U.S.
- The database allows for tracking of sales trends in different regions.
- Sales data showed a significant increase in outdoor-use permethrin products from 1997 to 2002.
Takeaway
This study shows how we can use sales data to understand how much pesticide people buy for their homes, which helps us learn about potential health risks.
Methodology
A searchable database was constructed using sales data for home-use permethrin-containing pesticides sold in the U.S. from January 1997 to December 2002.
Potential Biases
Potential underestimation of pesticide use due to incomplete sales data from some retailers.
Limitations
The tracking method is limited by the availability of sales data, market coverage, and geographic resolution.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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