Exposure to Toxic Pesticides in Pregnant Women in Salinas Valley

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University States published a report comparing the levels of pesticide metabolites in pregnant women from the Salinas Valley of California to a national reference dataset. The study, which analyzed urine samples from 538 women collected between 1999 and 2001, found that over 78% of the women had detectable levels of at least one organophosphorus (OP) pesticide-specific metabolite, while 30% had two or more. The concentrations of eight specific metabolites, including 2,4-dichlorophenol and 3,4,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, were significantly higher among the women from the Salinas Valley compared to the national sample. This suggests that living and/or working in an agricultural area may contribute to an additional burden of pesticide exposure for these women.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed 34 metabolites of current-use pesticides and other precursor compounds in urine samples collected twice during pregnancy from 538 women in the Salinas Valley of California.
  • Over 78% of the women had detectable levels of at least one OP pesticide-specific metabolite, and 30% had two or more.
  • Concentrations of eight specific metabolites, including 2,4-dichlorophenol and 3,4,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, were significantly higher among the women from the Salinas Valley compared to the national sample.
  • The study suggests that living and/or working in an agricultural area may contribute to an additional burden of pesticide exposure for pregnant women.
  • The levels of pesticide metabolites detected in the study are likely related to home or agricultural pesticide use, household products, and other sources of chlorinated phenols.

Statistics:

  • 538 urine samples collected from pregnant women in the Salinas Valley of California between 1999 and 2001.
  • 95% of women had detectable levels of at least one OP pesticide-specific metabolite.
  • 30% of women had two or more detectable OP pesticide-specific metabolites.
  • The 95th percentile values of six of the most commonly detected (50%) compounds were significantly higher among the CHAMACOS women after controlling for age, race, socioeconomic status, and smoking.
  • 78.1% of women had detectable levels of at least one OP pesticide-specific metabolite (95% CI: 75.9%, 80.2%).

Sources:

  • Castorina, R., et al. "Comparison of current-use pesticide and other toxicant urinary metabolite levels among pregnant women in the CHAMACOS cohort and NHANES." Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 118, no. 6, 2010, pp. 856-863.