Pesticide Exposure Characterization Among Adult Males in a Chilean Agricultural Community Using Paired Silicone Wristbands and Urine Samples

Authors

• Melissa DeSantiago, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.
• Margarita Valenzuela, School of Public Health, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362, 8330077 Santiago, Chile.
• Duncan Hay, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Dr, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States.
• Heather M. Stapleton, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Dr, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States.
• Grant Tore, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.
• Ana M. Rule, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.
• Jordan R. Kuiper, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20052, United States.
• Catterina Ferreccio, School of Public Health, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362, 8330077 Santiago, Chile.
• Sandra Cortés A, School of Public Health, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362, 8330077 Santiago, Chile.
• Lesliam Quirós-Alcalá, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

3-31-2026

Journal

Environmental science & technology

DOI

10.1021/acs.est.5c18101

Keywords

agriculture; biological monitoring; exposure pathways; occupational exposure; personal passive samplers

Abstract

Human exposure to current-use and legacy pesticides in Chile remains largely understudied. In this pilot study, we collected silicone wristbands and urine samples to characterize pesticide exposure, assess between-matrix correlations, and identify potential exposure determinants. A total of 43 male agricultural workers enrolled in the Maule Cohort (MAUCO) were recruited in 2023. Participants wore wristbands for 8-11 days. A spot urine sample was collected upon wristband retrieval at the end of the sampling period (July-August 2023). We analyzed 20 pesticides on wristbands and 10 urinary pesticide biomarkers using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS targeted methods. We estimated univariable associations between concentrations in both sampling matrices and individual demographic and behavioral factors collected via questionnaires. Participants (42-64 years) reported a median of 25 years in agricultural work, yet only 37% reported prior pesticide training. Among the frequently detected analytes (>80% detection frequency), we found significant and positive correlations between chlorpyrifos, cis-permethrin, and trans-permethrin, and their corresponding urinary metabolites (r = 0.34-0.53; p < 0.05). When stratified by job title, the strongest correlations were found among field workers (r = 0.49-0.71; p < 0.05). Field re-entry work was a significant determinant across both matrices, highlighting a potential modifiable exposure pathway. Silicone wristbands provide a complementary noninvasive method to estimate personal pesticide exposure, offering insights into critical exposure patterns in under-resourced settings.

APA Citation

DeSantiago, Melissa; Valenzuela, Margarita; Hay, Duncan; Stapleton, Heather M.; Tore, Grant; Rule, Ana M.; Kuiper, Jordan R.; Ferreccio, Catterina; Cortés A, Sandra; and Quirós-Alcalá, Lesliam, "Pesticide Exposure Characterization Among Adult Males in a Chilean Agricultural Community Using Paired Silicone Wristbands and Urine Samples" (2026). GW Authored Works. Paper 8803.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/8803

Department

Environmental and Occupational Health