Use and storage of pesticides at home in France (the Pesti'home survey 2014)

Some epidemiological studies have raised health concerns following the chronic exposure of pregnant women and children to pesticides in the domestic environment. In France very little is known about potential exposure to pesticides at home. An observational study called Pesti'home was carried out in continental France between July and November 2014. The residential use of pesticides was investigated and an inventory of pesticides and active ingredients used and stored at home was drawn up. Plant protection products, biocides, and human and animal external pest control products were listed during face-to-face interviews.A random sample of households including at least one adult (18-79 years old) was selected following a two -stage stratified random sampling method using the national census database. Within each household, an adult was appointed to answer survey questions. Data related to the interviewee's sociodemographic and housing characteristics, the reported use of pesticides at home, and a visual inventory of all stored pesticides were collected. Overall, 1507 households participated. The participation rate was between 36% and 57% according to the definition chosen.Over the previous 12 months, 75% of households declared that they had used at least one pesticide. House-holds who used and stored at least one product most frequently used an insecticide (84%). The active ingredients most frequently used by these households as insecticides were pyrethroids, namely tetramethrin and permethrin.The Pesti'home survey collected detailed data on the residential use of pesticides for risk assessment at na-tional and European levels.

Automated summary

This study investigated pesticide usage in French households and compiled a list of pesticides and active ingredients stored at home. The findings showed that 75% of households had used at least one pesticide in the past year, with insecticides, particularly pyrethroids, being the most commonly used type.