title: Potential health effects related to pesticide use on athletic fields.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Children come in contact with athletic fields on a daily basis. How these fields are maintained may have an impact on children's potential exposure to pesticides and associated health effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study that utilized a survey to assess playing field maintenance practices regarding the use of pesticides. Athletic fields (N = 101) in Maryland were stratified by population density and randomly selected.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was administered to field managers (n = 33) to assess maintenance practices, including the use of pesticides. Analysis included descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Managers of 66 fields (65.3%) reported applying pesticides, mainly herbicides (57.4%). Managers of urban and suburban fields were less likely to apply pesticides than managers of rural fields. Combined cultivation practice was also a significant predictor of increased pesticide use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of pesticides on athletic fields presents many possible health hazards. Results indicate that there is a significant risk of exposure to pesticide for children engaged in sports activities. Given that children are also often concurrently exposed to pesticides as food residues and from home pest management, we need to examine opportunities to reduce their exposures. Both policy and practice questions are raised.
authors.affiliation: Family and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. rgilden@son.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gilden
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Friedmann
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sattler
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Squibb
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McPhaul
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008396:Maryland; D010575:Pesticides; D012306:Risk; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D013177:Sports; D013383:Suburban Population; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides