Possible exposure ways of pesticide mixtures in Latvian adults

Pesticides are substances causing adverse health effects on human bodies. Major sources of exposure include use in households, gardens, consumption of fruits or vegetables and environmental exposure. The study group consisted of 45 females and 5 males (n=50), age range 25-62. Surveys were carried out in June, 2020. Several exposure ways were analised: type of crops/vegetables grown nearby, use of own garden, use of pesticides in own gardens, etc. Consumer habits and consumption of organic food in the last 6 months were also evaluated. Most respondents have winter wheat growing nearby (closer than 250m) (78%, N=39), followed by winter rapeseed (62%, N=31) and summer wheat (26%, N=13) all of whom are treated with pesticides. 92% of respondents (N=46) indicated that they own a garden, where most grow vegetables, herbs, fruits for family consumption (78%, N=39). Most of the respondents hadn`t used any chemicals to treat their gardens in the last 3 days (82%, N=41). Most respondents (48%, N=24) buy vegetables in food markets or supermarkets or grow by themselves, 44% of respondents (N=22) buy products only in supermarkets, but only 8% of all (N=4) consume self-grown products or locally grown products. Most consumers (48%, N=24) buy organic products instead of conventional products, 32% of respondents (N=16) choose only conventional products, but 20% of all respondents (N=10) didn’t know if they consume organic or conventional products. Most studies on health effects of pesticides have focused on occupational exposures people are also exposed to pesticides in our daily lives. This study confirms that living near agricultural fields lead to exposures from aerial spraying. Daily consumer habits may also affect pesticide levels in human body and conventional diets have significantly higher levels of pesticide metabolites in their urine than those consuming organic products. According to HORIZON 2020 Programme „European Human Biomonitoring Initiative” Nr.733032-HBM4EU.