Prenatal exposure to pesticides: a feasibility study among migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
BACKGROUND
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers have a high potential for pesticide exposures, yet are rarely included in epidemiologic studies. This study examined the feasibility of assessing prenatal exposures to pesticides and other compounds in pregnant Hispanic farmworkers.


METHODS
Nine women completed a survey about work experiences during pregnancy. Maternal urine, cord blood, and placenta samples were obtained at delivery for analysis of 51 analytes, including 6 phenoxy acid or triazine herbicides, 21 organochlorine insecticides, 10 PCBs, and 14 volatile organic compounds.


RESULTS
Seven of 51 analytes were found in the biological samples. DDE, DDT, dichlorbenzene, toluene, trimethylbenzene, and endosulfan sulfate were detected in cord blood samples, and 2,4-D in urine from one or more women.


CONCLUSIONS
We documented the feasibility of following farmworkers to assess in utero exposure to pesticides and other contaminants, and demonstrated exposure to these compounds. Difficulties in measuring pesticides with short half lives were noted.
Cooper
S P
SP
The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA. scooper@sph.uth.tmc.edu
Burau
K
K
Sweeney
A
A
Robison
T
T
Smith
M A
MA
Symanski
E
E
Colt
J S
JS
Laseter
J
J
Zahm
S H
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D010575:Pesticides