Proximity to agricultural fields as proxy for environmental exposure to pesticides among children: The PIAMA birth cohort

•Proximity of home address to fields likely treated with pesticides was assessed.•Proximity to likely treated fields was used as proxy for pesticides exposure.•Acreage of fields was combined with farmer-reported pesticide use on those fields.•Few participants lived within 100 m of fields likely treated with pesticides.•About two-thirds lived within 1000 m of likely treated fields.

BackgroundAgricultural pesticides are frequently used for crop protection. Residents living in close proximity to treated fields may be exposed to these pesticides. There is some indication that children living near agricultural fields have an increased risk of developing asthma and decreased lung function.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the proximity of participants' homes to fields likely treated with pesticides as proxy for environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides among participants of a Dutch birth cohort study, and to combine acreage of fields with farmer-reported pesticide use.MethodsPotential pesticide exposure at the home address at the time of the 14-year follow-up was estimated for 2291 participants of the Dutch PIAMA birth cohort study. We used spatial data on the presence of crops during the year 2012 to calculate the surface area of specific crops relevant for pesticide use in The Netherlands cultivated within 50, 100, 500 and 1000 m of the study homes. Farmer-reported pesticides use on specific crops from a national survey performed in 2012 was used to estimate the amount of all pesticides and pesticides with known irritant properties for the respiratory system applied within the aforementioned distances of the study homes.ResultsFor 3%, 7%, 40%, and 65% of the homes, any relevant crops were present within 50, 100, 500 and 1000 m, respectively. Among these, the most frequent crops were corn, cereals, and potatoes. For almost the same percentages of homes, it was estimated that pesticides with known irritant properties for the respiratory system were potentially applied within these distances.ConclusionsWe observed that a small proportion of the study participants lived in close proximity (< 50 or < 100 m) to agricultural fields with crops relevant for pesticide use in The Netherlands. The percentage of study homes within 500 or 1000 m of agricultural fields with these crops was much larger.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (189KB)Download full-size imageAssessment of residential proximity to crop fields likely treated with agricultural pesticides as proxies for environmental pesticide exposure - flow chart.