Current Pesticide Exposure: Latino Farmworkers and Non-Farmworkers Compared

Current pesticide exposure of Latino farmworkers is widely documented, yet little is known about this exposure among other immigrant workers. This analysis describes current pesticide exposure of male Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers.  Data are from a CBPR project conducted in NC.  Data for this analysis were collected in 2012; up to four urine samples were collected from 203 male Latino farmworkers and 129 male Latino non-farmworkers.  Urine samples were composited and analyzed for 3 organophosphorous (ACE, METH, TCPy), 2 carbamate (ETU, PTU), and 1 pyrethroid (3PBA) pesticide metabolites.  More farmworkers than non-farmworkers had detectable levels of TCPy (67.0% vs. 45.7%), and the geometric mean concentration was greater among farmworkers (2.91 vs. 1.3 ng/mL).  Similar percentages of farmworkers and non-farmworkers had detectable levels of 3PBA (70.0% vs. 69.0%).  More non-farmworkers had detectable levels of ACE (32.6% vs. 9.9%), METH (34.9% vs. 9.4%), ETU (20.2% vs. 10.3%), and PTU (13.2% vs. 4.4%).  Geometric mean concentrations for these metabolites were greater for non-farmworkers versus farmworkers.  Analysis showed no farmworkers/non-farmworker differences in personal characteristics were associated with the presence or concentrations of pesticide metabolites.  Comparisons among non-farmworkers indicated that those employed in maintenance/cleaning had a greater than expected detection for each of the metabolites except PTU.  Immigrants commonly experience pesticide exposure, even when not engaged in farmwork.  Many of the pesticides to which they are exposed are not registered for residential use.  Research needs to determine the sources of this exposure among non-farmworker immigrants so that this disparity can be eliminated.  Grant R01 ES008739.