Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115594

A. J. Becker, MPH PhD¹, Z. Duprey, DVM, MPH², S.D. Rivers, MS¹, G. Luber, MA, PhD², C. Blackmore, DVM, PhD¹, and Carol Rubin, DVM, MPH². (1) Bureau of Community Environmental Health, Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-245-4117, Alan_Becker@doh.state.fl.us, (2) National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS F-46, Atlanta, GA 30341

Results from previous Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies suggest that aerial spraying with naled, an organophosphate pesticide, during large-scale mosquito-control activities is not a significant exposure to pesticides for human populations. However, these studies have had statistical limitations. In October 2004, the Florida Department of Health (FLDOH) and CDC assessed exposure of humans to ultra low volume (ULV) aerial application of naled. The objectives of this study were to quantify human exposure and to overcome statistical limitations of previous similar studies. A total of 210 participants, randomly selected in five proposed spray zones, completed the study. After obtaining informed consent, teams administered questionnaires about household and occupational exposure to pesticides and obtained baseline urine samples to quantify the concentration of naled metabolites before pesticide spraying. Participants were informed of the time of the spray and were asked to collect urine samples within 12 hours of the spray and at eight hour intervals for up to 40 hours. A post-spray questionnaire inquired about their activities during the time of the spray, any household or occupational exposures to pesticides, and any health effects experienced since the spray occurred. Because factors such as clustering, sample size, and power have been appropriately addressed, our study design will allow us to draw statistically sound, generalizable conclusions regarding human exposure to pesticide from ULV aerial applications of naled. In addition, pre-spray urinalysis and baseline information regarding pesticides will allow us to assess relative exposure from household and occupational use.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to understand the methodology used to assess exposure from aerial spraying.

Keywords: Surveillance, Workforce

Related Web page: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pesticides

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.