Pesticide exposure can cause adverse health effects including adverse birth outcomes, adverse neurodevelopment and behavior, earlier puberty onset in youth and cancers.

Many studies have documented work-based exposures to pesticides and exposure that occurs when people bring  pesticides into their homes on their clothing. Pets can also bring pesticides to which they are exposed while outside back into the home. In this study, CU Boulder researchers are investigating dogs’ environmental exposure to pesticides, since they spend most of their time with humans and share their take-home exposure from time spent outside. We seek to understand the extent to which dogs can be an indicator of chemical exposure in humans.

We seek to 1) assess personal exposures to pesticides of individuals and their dogs who are living in Boulder County, Colorado, 2) report the amount of pesticide exposure in paired dog-humans to compare human and dog exposures, 3) summarize some of the potential sources of pesticide-exposure, and 4) calculate the cancer risk for humans based on EPA’s guidelines.

We measured human-dog pairs’ pesticide exposure using the Fresh Air dog collar clip and wristband samplers developed at Yale University. We hypothesized that dogs and their owners are exposed to similar pesticide chemicals and concentrations. We first collected data during fall 2021, a non-active pesticide application season in the community. Forty adult participants that owned at least one dog participated in the first phase of the study. They and their dogs wore the Fresh Air samplers for one week in the fall of 2021. Participants also kept a daily log of their activities and completed a one-time survey about their environment.

When we analyzed the data collected by the Fresh Air samplers, we found that nine out of 15 targeted pesticide compounds were detected in the samples. We used this information later to calculate humans’ cancer risk. In addition to a targeted method of analysis, we also used non-targeted methods applied on all samples, which screen samples for a much larger set of pesticide chemicals. In the non-targeted screening, 30 different pesticide chemical compounds were detected in both humans and dogs.

We will collect data again in June 2023—peak pesticide application season. We will then compare exposure rates between the two seasons.

For more information, please contact Dr. Shelly L. Miller.

• Pesticide Exposure Project

  Additional Info

  We are planning to repeat the personal exposure sampling in June 2023, the peak season of pesticide application. Water sampling will also be added.
  

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  Location

  in colorado

  Boulder

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Public Program (open to the public)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program