Surface-to-food pesticide transfer as a function of moisture and fat content.
Transfer of pesticides from household surfaces to foods may result in excess dietary exposure in children (i.e., beyond that inherent in foods due to agricultural application). In this study, transfer was evaluated as a function of the moisture and fat content of various foods. Surfaces chosen for investigation were those commonly found in homes and included Formica, ceramic tile, plastic, carpet, and upholstery fabric. Each surface type was sprayed with an aqueous emulsion of organophosphates, fipronil, and synthetic pyrethroids. In the first phase of the study, multiple foods (apples, watermelon, wheat crackers, graham crackers, white bread, flour tortillas, bologna, fat-free bologna, sugar cookies, ham, Fruit Roll-ups, pancakes, and processed American cheese) were categorized with respect to moisture and fat content. All were evaluated for potential removal of applied pesticides from a Formica surface. In the second phase of the study, representative foods from each classification were investigated for their potential for pesticide transfer with an additional four surfaces: ceramic tile, plastic, upholstery, and carpet. Moisture content, not fat, was found to be a determining factor in most transfers. For nearly all surfaces, more efficient transfer occurred with increased hardness (Formica and ceramic tile). Comparatively, the polymer composition of the plastic delivered overall lower transfer efficiencies, presumably due to an attraction between it and the organic pesticides of interest.
Vonderheide
Anne P
AP
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division, Chemical Exposure Research Branch, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, USA.
Bernard
Craig E
CE
Hieber
Thomas E
TE
Kauffman
Peter E
PE
Morgan
Jeffrey N
JN
Melnyk
Lisa Jo
LJ
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005502:Food; D005504:Food Analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
D005223:Fats; D010575:Pesticides; D014867:Water