IOM Pesticides Project

The use of pesticides and their possible health effects is a subject that gives rise to much public concern and discussion. There have been reports of ill health attributed to pesticide exposure. In particular, some people living next to agricultural land, rightly or wrongly, attribute health problems to their exposure from pesticides sprayed onto these fields. There is currently a lack of reliable exposure information for residents and bystanders in the UK.

In a previous study (Sleeuwenhoek et al, 2007), we showed that the methods currently used to assess pesticide exposure for regulatory purposes were appropriate for farm workers. However, the method appeared to underestimate the actual levels for bystanders. No measurements were collected for residents. Further measurements are neede to determine if current tools and methods are appropriate for assessing exposure and risks amongst residents living near fields.

IOM, in collaboration with HSL and Glasgow Caledonian University has recently been awarded funding of £640,000 by DEFRA to help address this issue. The project, which started in October 2010, and will run until mid 2013, will investigate pesticide exposure during the spraying season amongst residents (adults and children) living next to agricultural fields in East Lothian, East Anglia and Kent. The amount pesticides will be measured in urine samples and a mathematical model will be used to estimate systemic exposure levels amongst residents. The data we collect during the project will help us assess whether the exposure models used for regulatory risk assessment produce sufficiently conservative estimates to ensure that the health of residents living close to agricultural land is protected. We hope to begin recruitment of suitable farms and residents in the East Lothian area in January 2011, with recruitment in East Anglia and Kent commencing March 2011.