Pesticides In Air Research Articles

Spatial and temporal variations of currently used pesticides (CUPs) concentrations in ambient air in Wallonia, Belgium

Pesticides are among the most widely used chemicals thus contributing to a global contamination of the environment. Studies in North America and Europe have reported ambient air concentrations of Currently Used Pesticides in rural and urban locations as well as in remote areas. Monitoring pesticides in air is required for a better understanding of human exposure through inhalation and to assess potential health effects related to this exposure pathway. In this study, 46 pesticides were analyzed in ambient air in sampling stations distributed over Wallonia during a year, from May 2015 to May 2016. Different typologies were defined for sampling sites (remote areas, urban sites, agricultural sites, livestock area, and sites with other professional uses). Ambient air was sampled for 14 days with an active air sampler at a flow rate of 4 m³/h. Quartz filters and PUF/XAD-2/PUF cartridges were used to sample both gas and particulate phase pesticides. On the 46 pesticides studied, 6 insecticides, 18 herbicides and 18 fungicides were detected. Herbicides were measured in 68.3% of samples throughout the year, whereas fungicides and insecticides were measured in 62.6% and 13.2% of the samples, respectively. The highest mean concentrations for all pesticides were measured in spring-summer, whereas few pesticides were measured at low concentrations in winter. Six pesticides were measured in the remote sampling station at lower concentrations than in all other sites highlighting volatility of these pesticides. The highest number of different pesticides and the highest concentrations were measured in agricultural stations, where uses of plant protection products are higher. Finally, less volatile pesticides were only detected near application areas and at low concentrations. Together, these results provide better insight on the spatial and temporal variations of pesticides concentrations in ambient air, which were related to pesticides uses as well to atmospheric volatility and persistence.

Spatial-temporal distribution and potential risk of pesticides in ambient air in the North China Plain

The intensive use of pesticides in the North China Plain (NCP) has resulted in widespread contamination of pesticides in the local atmosphere, posing risks to air quality and human health. However, the occurrence and distribution of atmospheric pesticides in the NCP as well as their risk assessment have not been well investigated. In this study, 300 monthly samples were collected using passive air samplers with polyurethane foam at ten rural sites with different crop systems in Quzhou county, the NCP, from June 2021 to May 2022. The pesticides were quantified using mass-spectrometric techniques. Our results revealed that chlorpyrifos, carbendazim, and atrazine were the most frequently found pesticides in the air samples, with detection frequencies of ≥ 87 % across the samples. The average concentrations of atmospheric pesticides during spring (7.47 pg m−3) and summer (16.05 pg m−3) were significantly higher than those during autumn (2.04 pg m−3) and winter (1.71 pg m−3), attributable to the intensified application of pesticides during the warmer seasons. Additionally, cash crop sites exhibited higher concentrations (10.26 pg m−3) of atmospheric pesticides compared to grain crop (5.59 pg m−3) and greenhouse sites (3.81 pg m−3), primarily due to more frequent pesticides spraying events in cash crop fields. These findings indicate a distinct spatial–temporal distribution pattern of atmospheric pesticides influenced by both seasons and crop systems. Furthermore, the model-based inhalation risk assessment indicates that inhalation exposure to atmospheric pesticides is unlikely to pose a significant public concern.

Cross-regional scale studies of organochlorine pesticides in air in China: Pollution characteristic, seasonal variation, and gas/particle partitioning

Few simultaneous studies of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the atmosphere have been conducted across Southeast and Northeast China, and no data on the gas/particle (G/P) partitioning behaviors of several current-use OCPs are available. In this study, a one-year synchronous monitoring program was conducted for OCPs in Chinese atmosphere spanning 30° latitude and 60 °C temperature. A total of 111 pairs of gas and particle samples were collected from Mohe and Harbin in Northeast China and from Shenzhen in Southeast China. The detection frequency for 66.7 % of the OCPs exceeded 80 %, indicating their prevalence in the atmosphere. The concentrations of individual OCPs spanned six orders of magnitude, indicating different pollution levels. Highest levels of hexachlorobenzene were observed at all sites. Banned OCPs were found predominantly in secondary distribution patterns, whereas current-use OCPs were dominated by primary distribution patterns. In Harbin and Mohe, the concentrations of OCPs were highest in summer, followed by autumn and winter. No obvious seasonal variation was observed in Shenzhen associated with different cultivation types. At all three sites, OCPs were predominantly found in the gas phase, and higher percentages of particle-phase OCPs were observed in Harbin and Mohe than in Shenzhen. In this study, G/P partitioning models were used to study the G/P partitioning mechanism of OCPs. The Li–Ma–Yang model provided the most accurate prediction of the G/P partitioning behavior of OCPs with high molecular weights and low vapor pressures, particularly at low temperatures. However, OCPs with lower molecular weights and higher vapor pressures were predominantly in the equilibrium state, for which the Junge–Pankow model was suitable. This systematic cross-scale study provides new insights into pollution, G/P partitioning, and the environmental behavior of OCPs in the atmosphere.

Use of PLE-ATD-GC/MSMS for the Quantification of Airborne Pesticides in Active and Passive Samples and in Dust.

An analytical method coupling pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), pre-concentration by thermal desorption (ATD) and analysis by GC/MSMS was developed for the quantification of pesticides in air and dust near vineyards crops to evaluate potential exposure of residents living near these crops. PLE was done using acetonitrile and extracts were concentrated under fume hood to 1mL. 100μL of the extract was spiked in a Tenax TA tube and internal standards and N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide were added before thermal desorption at 300°C for 30min. GC/MSMS analysis was done in MRM mode and limits of quantification and limits of detection were determined for each matrix (passive air sample, active air sample and dust). The method was applied in the field and shows good sensitivity and accuracy.

Measuring current-use pesticides in air: A comparison of silicon carbide foam to XAD as passive air samplers

Silicon carbide foams have recently proved its efficiency as newly introduced passive sampler for air monitoring. The aim of this work is to assess the field potential of the SiC foams in comparison to the well-known XAD®-2 resins and to improve its performance by grafting Nitrogen-doped carbon (N-C) and Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNT) at several temperatures. The results generated by this work showed that grafted SiC foams are prone to be highly competitive with commonly used XAD®-2 resins and gave better results than the regular SiC foams. Moreover, the obtained results showed that among others both 450 °C N-C SiC and 900 °C N-CNT SiC allowed detection of the highest amount of pesticides and could be considered as new potential adsorbent for pesticides in air.

Spatio-temporal variation of outdoor and indoor pesticide air concentrations in homes near agricultural fields

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that many current-use pesticides can be detected in air around application areas. Environmental exposure to pesticides may cause adverse health effects, necessitating accurate assessment of outdoor and indoor air concentrations for people living close to spraying sites. We evaluated outdoor and indoor air concentrations of different pesticides, as well as factors influencing spatial and temporal variations. MethodsWe collected outdoor air samples at 58 homes located within 250 m of bulb fields and 15 control homes located further than 500 m from any agricultural field. Outdoor air sampling following a pesticide spray event was performed 24-h a day for 7 consecutive days. Two full day samples were collected at the same locations during a non-use period. In homes located within 50 m from agricultural fields (N = 18), indoor air was also sampled for the first 24 h after field spraying. Samples were analysed for a total of 46 pesticides and degradation products. From these, 11 were actively used on nearby fields, 3 were used in bulb disinfection and 6 were degradation products. ResultsCompared to non-use periods, pesticides concentrations were 5–10 times higher in outdoor air during application periods. Similar concentration differences were observed between exposed homes and controls both during pesticide use and non-use period. For 14 pesticides, there were moderate correlations (spearman > 0.4–0.7) between outdoor and indoor air concentrations. Wind direction, evapotranspiration and agricultural area surrounding a home were the most important determinants of air concentration of the applied pesticides. ConclusionsThis study provides strong evidence suggesting that environmental exposure to pesticides via air is not limited to the day of application and may occur year-round. The concentrations appeared higher during the use period. Factors influencing the local fate of pesticides in air may differ significantly between compounds.

Methodological Aspects for the Implementation of the Air Pesticide Control and Surveillance Network (PESTNet) of the Valencian Region (Spain)

A large amount of pesticide, applied mainly during agricultural practice, is released into the atmosphere, decreasing air quality and potentially causing public health problems. The Valencian region, after Andalusia, is the Spanish region with the highest consumption of pesticides owing to its large areas of agricultural land and the existence of crops that require intensive use of pesticides. In this work, we describe the sampling and analytical tools developed in the last decade and their transference to the Regional Department for Environment, where the main objective of the research was the creation and implementation of an Air pesticide control and surveillance network (PESTNet) in the Valencian region in Spain. To be able to confirm that the established strategies were appropriate, a pilot scheme comprising three different sampling stations (two rural and one urban) was developed and implemented in 2020. The results showed that as many as 30 pesticides were detected in the three sampling stations, with the frequency detection ranging from 6% (beta-endosulfan, chlorpropham, endosulfan-sulfate, kresoxim-m, prochloraz) to 100% (azoxystrobin, chlorpyrifos-m, metalaxyl-M). On the other hand, the concentrations of the pesticides found oscillated between 14.4 (boscalid) and 4373.0 pg m−3 (chlorpyrifos-m). Moreover, a risk assessment was carried out, and no risks were observed for the studied population (infants, children, and adults) in the evaluated stations.

Qualitative assessment of 27 current-use pesticides in air at 20 sampling sites across Africa

Increasing use of current-use pesticides (CUPs) in Africa raises environmental and public health concerns. But there is a large uncertainty about their occurrence and the composition of pesticide mixtures on this continent. This paper investigates the presence of 27 CUPs in air across 20 sampling sites in Africa. 166 passive air samples, consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF), were collected in 12 African countries between 2010 and 2018. Samples were extracted with methanol and analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The detection frequencies of CUPs per site were compared to land use patterns and sampling years, while their similarities were assessed using hierarchical cluster analysis. Overall, 24 CUPs were detected at least once. In 93% of all samples, at least one CUP was detected, while 78% of the samples had mixtures of two or more CUPs (median 3, interquartile range 5). Atrazine and chlorpyrifos were detected in 19 out of 20 sampling sites. Carbaryl, metazachlor, simazine, tebuconazole and terbuthylazine had the highest detection frequencies at sampling sites dominated by croplands. Across all the sampling years, 16 CUPs were present. Seven CUPs were newly detected from 2016 onwards (azinfos-methyl, dimetachlor, chlorsulfuron, chlortoluron, isoproturon, prochloraz and pyrazon), while metamitron was only present before 2012. Sites within a radius of about 200 km showed similarities in detected CUP mixtures across all samples. Our results show the presence of CUP mixtures across multiple agricultural and urban locations in Africa which requires further investigation of related environmental and human health risks.

Passive monitoring techniques to evaluate environmental pesticide exposure: Results from the Infant's Environmental Health study (ISA)

BackgroundPesticides used in agriculture may expose populations living nearby. Costa Rica is a major banana-exporting country, its production depends on extensive pesticide use. ObjectivesTo evaluate environmental pesticide exposure, we measured levels of current-use pesticides in air and dust from 12 schools in Matina County, Costa Rica, with passive sampling methods. MethodsWe selected ten proximal and two non-proximal schools and placed polyurethane foam passive air samplers outdoors at each school, during four consecutive periods. At three of these schools, we also placed an active air sampler during the first 24 h of each sampling period. We collected passive dust samples by placing a glass Petri Dish at the inside of each school. We subsequently performed a chemical analysis of 18 pesticides, using gas chromatography with mass detector. ResultsWith passive air samplers we detected ten different pesticides: two insecticides, two nematicides, and six fungicides, of which nine reported to be used on banana plantations. More than half of the samples contained at least five pesticides. Chlorpyrifos was detected most-frequently, in 98% of samples, followed by the nematicides etoprophos and the fungicide pyrimethanil that were both detected in 81% of samples. Chlorpyrifos concentrations were five times higher in proximal as compared to non-proximal schools: mean = 18.2 ng/m3 (range = 6.1–36.1) and mean = 3.5 ng/m3 (range= <0.5–11.4) and varied more between schools than in time (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.80). In general, results from passive and active samplers showed similar exposure patterns; yet median concentrations tended to be higher in passive samplers. In dust samples, mostly fungicides were detected; chlorothalonil was detected most frequently, in 50% of samples. DiscussionPassive air sampling is a promising technique to characterize environmental exposure to current-use pesticides; more studies are needed to characterize the sampling rates, reproducibility and optimum sampling times for passive samplers. School environments near banana plantations are contaminated with multiple pesticides that include insecticides, nematicides, and fungicides, which is of concern.

The prevention of health disorders under application of pesticides in personal and farmer personal subsidiary plots

The article presents the results of detection of expositions of pesticides in air of working zone and on skin surfaces of users under their application in personal subsidiary plots on field, garden cultures and protected ground. The system of measures of safe application of pesticides in personal subsidiary plots was proposed on the basis of risk evaluation.

Variations in the Concentration of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Air over the Northern Hovsgol Region in 2008–2015

The variations in the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in atmospheric air in the northern Lake Hovsgol region in 2008–2015 is analyzed using passive air sampling data. It was found that the concentrations vary from background values (comparable with those for other high-mountain regions) to the levels typical of large settlements. The quantitative and qualitative variations in the concentration of PCBs and OCPs in air are recorded. The variations characterize the influence of both natural (seasonal variations in temperature and average annual temperature anomalies over the land and sea across the globe and Northern Hemisphere) and anthropogenic factors. There is a trend towards the increase in hexachlorobenzene (HCB) levels and the decrease in hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) levels in the atmosphere. No significant variation in the total PCB was found in 2011–2015. The results of the modeling of PCB and OCP fluxes in the air-soil system in the analyzed region demonstrate that deposition prevails over volatilization that corroborates the significance of atmospheric transport for the PCB and OCP inflow to the Lake Hovsgol region.

Pesticides Exposure by Air in Vineyard Rural Area and Respiratory Health in Children: A pilot study

RationaleAsthma, frequently associated with rhinitis, is the most common chronic disease in children, and a significant role is played by a range of environmental exposures. Among them, air pollution is of foremost concern. However, little is known about the impact of airborne pesticide exposure on children's respiratory health in rural areas. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between airborne pesticide exposure and asthma and rhinitis in children. MethodsIn a French vineyard rural area, children (3–10 years old) from 4 selected schools were invited to participate in this study over two periods: winter, with no or low air pesticide levels, and summer when fields are frequently treated with pesticides. Two health outcomes were considered: asthma and rhinitis symptoms (ISAAC questionnaire), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). A quantitative score of symptoms was built. Exposure to pesticides was evaluated 1) by measuring 56 pesticides in the ambient outdoor air around schools in the two periods and building a cumulative exposure index, and 2) by measuring ethylenethiourea (ETU) concentrations in urine in a subsample of children (n = 96), ETU being a urine biomarker of exposure to dithiocarbamates fungicides. Next, the association between pesticide exposure and respiratory health was studied using a logistic regression model, adjusted for confounders and respiratory status at baseline. Results281 children participated in the study (47% girls, mean age: 7.5 yrs). 25% of the children were living on a farm. 22% had experienced wheezing at least once. 15.8% had asthma diagnosed by a doctor, 12% had current asthma and 35% had allergic rhinitis.The main pesticides detected in the ambient outdoor air around schools were fungicides (89,3%; mainly folpet and dithiocarbamates) and insecticides (10.6%).No association was found between the symptom score and pesticides in the outdoor air around schools during summer, when pesticides were applied to vineyards. However, an association was found between ETU urinary concentration (>0.974 μg/g creatinine) and asthma and rhinitis symptoms (OR=3.56; IC 95% 1.04–12.12). This result could be explained by extracurricular exposure, which was not considered in our air measurements in the schools. No association was found between peak expiratory flow and exposure to pesticides in the air. ConclusionsChildren living in vineyard rural areas are at a higher risk of airborne dithiocarbamates exposure during the summer period. Despite the limited size of our sample, our results suggest possible links between some pesticide measurements and respiratory and allergic symptoms such as rhinitis.

Addressing bystander exposure to agricultural pesticides in life cycle impact assessment

Residents living near agricultural fields may be exposed to pesticides drifting from the fields after application to different field crops. To address this currently missing exposure pathway in life cycle assessment (LCA), we developed a modeling framework for quantifying exposure of bystanders to pesticide spray drift from agricultural fields. Our framework consists of three parts addressing: (1) loss of pesticides from an agricultural field via spray drift; (2) environmental fate of pesticide in air outside of the treated field; and (3) exposure of bystanders to pesticides via inhalation. A comparison with measured data in a case study on pesticides applied to potato fields shows that our model gives good predictions of pesticide air concentrations. We compared our bystander exposure estimates with pathways currently included in LCA, namely aggregated inhalation and ingestion exposure mediated via the environment for the general population, and general population exposure via ingestion of pesticide residues in consumed food crops. The results show that exposure of bystanders is limited relative to total population exposure from ingestion of pesticide residues in crops, but that the exposure magnitude of individual bystanders can be substantially larger than the exposure of populations not living in the proximity to agricultural fields. Our framework for assessing bystander exposure to pesticide applications closes a relevant gap in the exposure assessment included in LCA for agricultural pesticides. This inclusion aids decision-making based on LCA as previously restricted knowledge about exposure of bystanders can now be taken into account.

Occurrence and seasonal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and legacy and current-use pesticides in air from a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Mar Menor, SE Spain)

The occurrence and seasonal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and legacy and current-use pesticides (CUPs) in air were characterized around the Mar Menor lagoon using both active and passive sampling devices. The seasonal distribution of these pollutants was determined at 6 points using passive samplers. Passive sampler sampling rates were estimated for all detected analytes using an active sampler, considering preferentially winter data, due to probable losses in active sampling during summer (high temperatures and solar irradiation). The presence of 28 compounds (14 CUPs, 11 PAHs and 3 organochlorinated pesticides) were detected in air by polyurethane passive sampling. The most commonly detected contaminants (>95% of samples) in air were chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl and phenanthrene. The maximum concentrations corresponded to phenanthrene (6000 pg m−3) and chlorpyrifos (4900 pg m−3). The distribution of contaminants was spatially and seasonally heterogeneous. The highest concentrations of PAHs were found close to the airport, while the highest concentrations of pesticides were found in the influence area of agricultural fields (western stations). PAH and herbicide concentrations were higher in winter than in the other seasons, although some insecticides such as chlorpyrifos were more abundant in autumn. The presence of PAHs and legacy and current-use pesticides in air confirmed their transference potential to marine coastal areas such as the Mar Menor lagoon.

Indoor and outdoor determination of pesticides in air by ion mobility spectrometry

The use of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has been evaluated as analytical methodology to detect and evaluate the occupational exposure to pesticides. The developed IMS methodology was used, in positive and negative modes, to determine the presence of pesticides in air and to evaluate possible inhalation exposures of workers and users based on active sampling on Teflon membranes and direct thermal desorption IMS. The negative IMS mode was used to determine bensulfuron, clorpyrifos, diniconazole, diuron, flutolanil and imidacloprid, while the positive mode was employed to evaluate formetanate, metalaxyl, metamitrone, metribuzin, paclobutrazol and pirimicarb. The IMS measurements provided limits of detection from 8pg to 600pg. Indoor air samples, from phytosanitary plants, and outdoor samples, obtained from pesticide treatments in a local farm, were analysed providing pesticide air concentrations in the range of 0.04 to>0.25mgm−3. Occupational exposure of workers and pesticide users were evaluated and compared with values recommended by the authorities, providing useful information to improve the prevention programs in the phytosanitary field.

Measuring IPM Impacts in California and Arizona.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a method of reducing economic, human health, and environmental risks from pests and pest management strategies. There are questions about the long-term success of IPM programs in relation to continued use of pesticides in agriculture. Total pounds of pesticides applied is a mis-measure of the impact of IPM in agriculture. A more complete measurement of the long-term impact of IPM includes consideration of changes in agricultural production practices and productivity, toxicity of the pesticides used, risks from human exposure to pesticides, and environmental sampling for pesticides in air and water resources. In recent decades, agricultural IPM programs have evolved to address invasive pests, shifts in endemic pest pressures, reductions in pest damage tolerance in markets, and increases in crop yields. Additionally, pesticide use data from Arizona and California revealed reduced use of pesticides in some toxicity categories but increased use of pesticides in a couple of categories. Data from federal and California programs that monitored pesticide residue on food have documented low pesticide risk to consumers. Environmental monitoring programs documented decreased pesticide levels in surface water resources in agricultural watersheds in the western United States and low levels of pesticides in air resources in agricultural areas in California. The focus of IPM assessment should be on reducing economic, human health, and environmental risks, not on pounds of pesticides applied. More broadly, IPM programs have evolved to address changes in pests and agricultural production systems while continuing to reduce human health and environmental risk from pesticides.

Use of passive samplers to detect organochlorine pesticides in air and water at wetland mountain region sites (S-SE Brazil).

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) passive samplers were deployed in upland surface waters and the overlying atmosphere during May and June 2012, to determine the transport and trends of freely dissolved and gaseous organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) along altitudinal gradients in mountain regions in south and southeast Brazil. Gaseous OCP concentrations were dominated by hexachlorobenzene (3.0-29 pg m(-3)) and endosulfans (Ʃ = α-endosulfan + β-endosulfan + endosulfan sulphate, 170-260 pg m(-3)), whereas freely dissolved endosulfans were significantly higher than all other OCPs (p < 0.001). The presence of some target pesticides at the highest elevation sites indicated their efficient high-altitude transport from regional sources. Air-water exchange gradients indicated net deposition of most volatile and recently banned OCPs (e.g., HCB, endosulfan) over Brazilian mountains. Moreover, the exposure of these sites to large-scale continental airflows with varying source contributions may partly explain the atmospheric deposition of selected OCPs over upland freshwaters at tropical and subtropical mountains sites in Brazil. These findings, coupled with LDPE passive air and water sampling measurements, point out the potential inputs from distant sources of semi-volatile chemicals to the two high-altitude sites.

Functional Micro-Dispensers based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) integrated with fabrics as functional materials to protect humans from mosquito feeding

Functional Micro-Dispensers (FMDs) based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) were designed to deliver spatial repellents that reduce the ability of mosquitoes to feed on humans. FMDs were integrated with fabrics as functional materials for protection against mosquito bites. The use of MEMS devices provides an unprecedented control over the release kinetics by means of integration with electronics for selective and timely activation of each device to perform controlled release of pesticides in air. In addition, because MEMS manufacturing techniques evolved from the microelectronic industry, FMDs can be mass produced at very low cost. Trials using FMDs that contained transfluthrin improved protection against mosquito feeding in human subjects above that of permethrin-treated uniform fabric worn on the arm of the volunteer. The overall reduction in feeding was approximately 90% compared to the untreated fabric control, and about 50% reduction compared to the permethrin-treated fabric control. The devices were efficacious over course of 32days. FMDs have the potential for a simple and cost-effective implementation for mass adoption as wearable devices integrated in fabrics as active functional materials.

Multiyear Measurements of Flame Retardants and Organochlorine Pesticides in Air in Canada's Western Sub-Arctic.

Fourteen polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 14 non-BDE flame retardants (FRs), and 25 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were analyzed in air samples collected at Little Fox Lake (LFL) in Canada's Yukon Territory from August 2011 to December 2014. LFL is a long-term monitoring station operated under the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) and one of only a few stations that contribute to the assessment of air pollution levels and pathways to the sub-Arctic region. BDE-47 was the most abundant congener among the 14 PBDEs, followed by BDE-99. Non-BDE FRs pentabromotoluene (PBT) and dechlorane plus (DP) were detected in all the samples. Dechlorane 602, 2,3-dibromopropyl-2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (DPTE), hexabromobenzene (HBB), and 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) were also detected in >75% of all samples. PBDEs have shown a decreasing tendency as of 2013, which may reflect the phase-out of penta- and octa-BDE mixtures has led to significant decline in the atmosphere. The highest concentrations of OCPs were observed for hexachlorobenzene (HCB), with a median concentration of 61 pg/m(3), followed by α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH) and α-endosulfan. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) highlights Northern Canada, Pacific, and East Asia as potential sources in warm seasons; whereas in cold seasons, the chemicals mainly came from the Pacific Rim.

An integrated model-based approach to the risk assessment of pesticide drift from vineyards

The inhalation of pesticide in air is of particular concern for people living in close contact with intensive agricultural activities. This study aims to develop an integrated modelling methodology to assess whether pesticides pose a risk to the health of people living near vineyards, and apply this methodology in the world-renowned Prosecco DOCG (Italian label for protection of origin and geographical indication of wines) region. A sample field in Bigolino di Valdobbiadene (North-Eastern Italy) was selected to perform the pesticide fate modellization and the consequent inhalation risk assessment for people living in the area. The modellization accounts for the direct pesticide loss during the treatment of vineyards and for the volatilization from soil after the end of the treatment. A fugacity model was used to assess the volatilization flux from soil. The Gaussian puff air dispersion model CALPUFF was employed to assess the airborne concentration of the emitted pesticide over the simulation domain. The subsequent risk assessment integrates the HArmonised environmental Indicators for pesticide Risk (HAIR) and US-EPA guidelines. In this case study the modelled situation turned to be safe from the point of view of human health in the case of non-carcinogenic compounds, and additional improvements were suggested to further mitigate the effect of the most critical compound.