Dermal and non-dietary pathways are potentially significant exposure pathways to pesticides used in residences. Exposure pathways include dermal contact with residues on surfaces, ingestion from hand- and object-to-mouth activities, and absorption of pesticides into food. A limited amount of data has been collected on pesticide concentrations in various residential compartments following an application. But models are needed to interpret this data and make predictions about other pesticides based on chemical properties.
On a morning of July 1999, the lawn of a rural medical facility was sprayed with an organophosphate (Chlorpyrifos) without any warning to staff and patients. Patients waiting to enter the building were exposed due to proximity of spraying and windy conditions. A physician walked through a cloud of spray. Details about the concentration of pesticide used were not available but use of a high concentration was probable. Exposure was suspected to have continued inside the building through opened windows, air exchanger, and people movements through the doors.
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