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. 2021 May;31(3):549-559.
doi: 10.1038/s41370-021-00312-w. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Pyrethroid exposure among children residing in green versus non-green multi-family, low-income housing

Derek W Werthmann  1 , Felicia A Rabito  2 , Daniel M Stout 2nd  3 , Nicolle S Tulve  3 , Gary Adamkiewicz  4 , Antonia M Calafat  5 , Maria Ospina  5 , Ginger L Chew  6
Affiliations

Pyrethroid exposure among children residing in green versus non-green multi-family, low-income housing

Derek W Werthmann et al. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021 May.

Abstract

Background: There is growing concern about children's chronic low-level pesticide exposure and its impact on health. Green building practices (e.g., reducing leakage of the thermal and pressure barrier that surrounds the structure, integrated pest management, improved ventilation) have the potential to reduce pesticide exposure. However, the potential impact of living in green housing on children's pesticide exposure is unknown.

Objective: To address this question, a longitudinal study of pyrethroid metabolites (3-phenoxybenzoic acid [3-PBA], 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid [4-F-3-PBA], trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid [trans-DCCA]) in first morning void urine, collected from 68 children from New Orleans, Louisiana residing in green and non-green housing was conducted.

Methods: Children were followed for 1 year with three repeated measures of pesticide exposure. Generalized estimating equations examined associations between housing type (green vs. non-green) and urinary pyrethroid metabolite concentrations adjusting for demographic and household factors over the year.

Results: Ninety-five percent of samples had detectable concentrations of 3-PBA (limit of detection [LOD]: 0.1 μg/L); 8% of 4-F-3-PBA (LOD: 0.1 μg/L), and 12% of trans-DCCA (LOD: 0.6 μg/L). In adjusted models, green housing was not associated with statistically significant differences in children's 3-PBA urinary concentrations compared to non-green housing.

Keywords: Children; Green housing; Pyrethroids; Urban; Urinary metabolites.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Financial Interests Declaration

The authors declare no actual or potential competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Geometric mean urinary metabolite concentrations by visit and home type (N=202)a
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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