5243.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 9

Abstract #12397

Agricultural pesticide use in California: Ethnic and socioeconomic differences among children

Robert B. Gunier, MPH, Martha Harnly, MPH, Peggy Reynolds, PhD, Julie Von Behren, MPH, and Andrew Hertz. Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Health Services, 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1700, Oakland, CA 94612, 510-622-4512, bgunier@dhs.ca.gov

We calculated the annual average pesticide use density in pounds per square mile from 1991 through 1994 for all census block groups in California. We used 1990 census data to evaluate agricultural pesticide use by age, race and socioeconomic status of children under the age of 15. We focused on potentially carcinogenic pesticide use. Among all census block groups in California, those in the lowest quartile of median family income had ten times more pounds of probable carcinogenic pesticides applied than block groups in the highest income quartile. Pesticide use density decreased with increasing socioeconomic status of block groups. Hispanic and White children were more likely than Black or Asian children to live in block groups with high pesticide use density. In rural block groups, where 90% of agricultural pesticide use occurred, the relationship between socioeconomic status and pesticide use density was even stronger. This work helps to identify populations with high potential exposure to agricultural pesticide use.

Learning Objectives: 1. Identify children with the highest potential exposure to agricultural pesticide use in California

Keywords: Children, Pesticides

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: California Department of Pesticide Regulation, Pesticide Use Data 1991-1994
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA