It turns out that wearing silicone wristbands is a great way to measure a person's exposure to pesticides that are inhaled or absorbed in the skin - whether you are farmer, living near pesticide treated farm fields, a pet owner, or a member of the general population (consumer). Another source of pesticides is food and water, but the silicone wristbands don't measure that.
A recent European study, using the silicone wristbands, found that conventional (non-organic) farmers are exposed to the greatest number and concentration of pesticides, followed by organic farmers and farm neighbors, and the fewest in ordinary consumers (the general population). The wristbands revealed that pesticide use, whether as a farmer or in the home, and having pets predicted greater pesticide exposure.
The researchers looked for the presence of 193 pesticides and found 172 of them. People are typically exposed to mixtures of pesticides. Keep in mind that many pesticides banned in the European Union are not banned in the US, and are routinely used in the US.
Pesticide use, whether as a conventional farmer or in the home, and having pets predicted a greater pesticide exposure. Organic farmers had lower levels of pesticides, and were exposed to fewer pesticides than conventional (non-organic) farmers. This is because organic farmers are not allowed to use the many pesticides that are routinely used by conventional (non-organic) farmers.
A nice summary of the research from Beyond Pesticides: Lower Pesticide Exposure Documented For Organic Farmers, Elevated For Others
Published in Environment International, a study utilizing silicone wristbands provides a snapshot of chemical exposure in over 600 participants across 10 European countries. Using the wristbands as passive and noninvasive samplers, the researchers find that organic farmers’ wristbands contain lower pesticide levels than other groups, offering insight into the benefits of organic and disproportionate risks to farmers using chemical-intensive methods. The results further reveal prevalent environmental pesticide mixtures, in addition to highlighting exposure to current-use pesticides (CUPs) and legacy (banned) pesticides that occurs through multiple exposure routes to workers, residents, and consumers. ...continue reading "Pesticide Exposure Greater In Conventional Farmers Than Organic Farmers"