Exploring predictors of short and long-term pesticide exposure using urinary pesticide biomarker data from children in South Africa
1
1 Epidemiology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Allschwil, Switzerland
2
2 Epidemiology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
3
3 Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
4
4 Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A412
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Pesticide exposure remains a major public health concern, yet predictors of short- and long-term exposure remain poorly understood, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. We investigated short- and long-term predictors of children’s exposure to multiple pesticides over two-years in South African agricultural settings.
METHODS:
We enrolled 518 children aged 9 -15 years from Grabouw, Piketberg and Hex River Valley. Between 2017 and 2019, children gave 1814 spot urine samples and completed pesticide exposure questionnaires at up to five-time points. Questionnaires assessed 11 behavioral (e.g., household pesticide use) and four environmental (e.g., spray drifts) exposure factors occurring within seven days prior to urine collection (short-term) and ever exposure factors reflecting long-term exposure. Nineteen biomarkers representing exposure to organophosphates, pyrethroids, dithiocarbamates and triazoles were analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and adjusted for specific gravity. Associations between short- and long-term exposure predictors and biomarker levels were assessed using linear mixed-effects models.
RESULTS:
Twelve biomarkers were detected above the detection limit in 50% of the samples. Children residing on farms had up to threefold higher levels of TCPy, BCP, IMPy, 3PBA, 4F3PBA, OHP, and ETU compared with non-farm children. Recent household pesticide use was associated with up to 56% higher levels of 12 biomarkers and having noticed spray drifts in the last seven days with up to 30% higher levels of IMPy, 3PBA, DCCA, cisDCCA, 4F3PBA, ETU, OHBOS and OHP. Ever household pesticide use and ever exposure to spray drifts were associated with approximately 30% higher levels of IMPy, 2,4-D and 4F3PBA. Use of open drinking water sources was associated with higher TCPy, BCP and ETU levels.
CONCLUSIONS:
Children in South African agricultural communities show sustained pesticide exposure from multiple sources. But few self-reported factors were predictive. Biomarker levels were mainly driven by exposures in the seven days preceding urine collection.
Pesticide exposure remains a major public health concern, yet predictors of short- and long-term exposure remain poorly understood, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. We investigated short- and long-term predictors of children’s exposure to multiple pesticides over two-years in South African agricultural settings.
METHODS:
We enrolled 518 children aged 9 -15 years from Grabouw, Piketberg and Hex River Valley. Between 2017 and 2019, children gave 1814 spot urine samples and completed pesticide exposure questionnaires at up to five-time points. Questionnaires assessed 11 behavioral (e.g., household pesticide use) and four environmental (e.g., spray drifts) exposure factors occurring within seven days prior to urine collection (short-term) and ever exposure factors reflecting long-term exposure. Nineteen biomarkers representing exposure to organophosphates, pyrethroids, dithiocarbamates and triazoles were analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and adjusted for specific gravity. Associations between short- and long-term exposure predictors and biomarker levels were assessed using linear mixed-effects models.
RESULTS:
Twelve biomarkers were detected above the detection limit in 50% of the samples. Children residing on farms had up to threefold higher levels of TCPy, BCP, IMPy, 3PBA, 4F3PBA, OHP, and ETU compared with non-farm children. Recent household pesticide use was associated with up to 56% higher levels of 12 biomarkers and having noticed spray drifts in the last seven days with up to 30% higher levels of IMPy, 3PBA, DCCA, cisDCCA, 4F3PBA, ETU, OHBOS and OHP. Ever household pesticide use and ever exposure to spray drifts were associated with approximately 30% higher levels of IMPy, 2,4-D and 4F3PBA. Use of open drinking water sources was associated with higher TCPy, BCP and ETU levels.
CONCLUSIONS:
Children in South African agricultural communities show sustained pesticide exposure from multiple sources. But few self-reported factors were predictive. Biomarker levels were mainly driven by exposures in the seven days preceding urine collection.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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