title: Urinary DAP metabolite levels in Thai farmers and their families and exposure to pesticides from agricultural pesticide spraying.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We conducted a biomarker study to characterise exposure to pesticides among farmers and their families in Thailand to assess the relative importance of the dermal exposure route and to identify important factors that determine exposure levels within farmers' families.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen farmers' families (eight vegetable and eight fruit farmers) participated in the study. Three morning spot urine samples were collected during a pesticide spraying week. Spot samples were grouped by individual and analysed for dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites and creatinine. Additional information on exposure and lifestyle was collected by means of questionnaires. Dermal exposure was assessed using a semi-quantitative observational method (DREAM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urinary DAP levels varied 20-fold between farmers, with average (geometric mean) levels of 51.1 μg/g for vegetable and 122.2 μg/g for fruit farmers. A moderate correlation (r(s)∼0.45) was found between log(e)-transformed DREAM scores and DAP levels. Farmers' urinary metabolite levels were not correlated with those of their spouses (r(s)∼-0.30) or children (r(s)∼-0.00) collected on the same days. Detectable spouses' DAP levels were on average (geometric mean) 13.0 μg/g and those of children 7.6 μg/g.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Farmers in Thailand as well as their families are exposed to pesticides in the spraying season and dermal exposure is an important route. The main route of exposure for farmers' families seems to be through transfer from the farmer to family members or contamination of the home environment, rather than family members helping or playing on the farm. Showering or washing immediately after pesticide spraying greatly reduces the potential exposure of family members to pesticide residues.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Health Sciences Research Group, School of Community Based Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Chalalai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hanchenlaksh
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Povey
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Vocht
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000652:urine*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides