| Exposures from Indoor Spraying of Chlorpyrifos Pose Greater Health Risks to Children than Currently Estimated Devra Lee Davis and A. Karim Ahmed World Resources Institute, Washington, DC 20006 USA Abstract
Recent findings of indoor exposure studies of chlorpyrifos indicate that young children are at higher risks to the semivolatile pesticide than had been previously estimated [Gurunathan et al., Environ Health Perspect 106:9-16 (1998) ]. The study showed that after a single broadcast use of the pesticide by certified applicators in apartment rooms, chlorpyrifos continued to accumulate on children's toys and hard surfaces 2 weeks after spraying. Based on the findings of this and other research studies, the estimated chlorpyrifos exposure levels from indoor spraying for children are approximately 21-119 times above the current recommended reference dose of 3µg/kg/day from all sources. A joint agreement reached between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the registrants of chlorpyrifos-based products will phase out a number of indoor uses of the pesticide, including broadcast spraying and direct uses on pets. While crack and crevice treatment of insects (such as cockroaches and termites) by chlorpyrifos will still continue, it appears prudent to explore other insect control options, including the use of baits, traps, and insect sterilants and growth regulators. To ensure global protection, adequate dissemination of appropriate safety and regulatory information to developing regions of the world is critical, where importation and local production of chlorpyrifos-based products for indoor uses may be significant. Key words: alternative insect control, chlorpyrifos, exposure assessment, health risks to children, indoor pesticide use, international trade in pesticides, semivolatile pesticides, termite and roach control. Environ Health Perspect 106:299-301 (1998) . [Online 28 April 1998] http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1998/106p299-301davis/ abstract.html Address correspondence to D.L. Davis, World Resources Institute, 1709 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 USA. Received 16 September 1997 ; accepted 14 April 1998.
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