Risk assessment of human exposure to airborne pesticides in rural greenhouses

In comparison to an open field, greenhouses utilize much more pesticides. The non-occupational exposure risk caused by pesticide drift is unknown. In this study, within 8 months (from March 2018 to October 2018), air samples were collected from indoor and outdoor houses and public areas near greenhouses in vegetable growing areas (eggplant, leek, garlic, etc.), and qualitative and quantitative analyses of pesticides were carried out. Using a 95% confidence interval, six pesticides (acetamiprid, difenoconazole, thiazophos, isoprocarb, malathion, and pyridaben) were detected. The results of the safety assessment showed that the non-cancer exposure risk of single pesticides for all residents in the agricultural areas was within the acceptable range, and the excess lifetime cancer risk of all residents inhaling difenoconazole exceeded 1E-6, and the agricultural region urgently needs increased cancer regulatory scrutiny. But combined toxicity of six pesticides not evaluated due to lack of suitable data. Comparison with open field scenes, the results show that pesticide levels to airborne are lower in greenhouse regions.

Automated summary

Compared to open fields, greenhouses use more pesticides. The risk of non-occupational exposure due to pesticide drift is unknown. This study collected air samples from indoor and outdoor houses as well as public areas near greenhouses in vegetable growing areas and analyzed the presence of pesticides. Six pesticides were detected and their safety assessment indicated acceptable non-cancer exposure risks for residents, except for difenoconazole which exceeded the acceptable threshold for lifetime cancer risk. However, the combined toxicity of the six pesticides was not evaluated due to lack of data. The study also found lower pesticide levels in the air of greenhouse regions compared to open field scenes.