Abstract

This study aimed to determine urine pesticide metabolite concentrations using liquid chromatography and investigate associated exposure factors in a rural area of Bogotá, Colombia. In 2019, 231 urine samples were collected from children aged 7 to 10. Urinary pesticide metabolite concentrations were measured, and a questionnaire was administered to the children’s mothers to collect exposure-related data. Multiple linear regression with log10-transformed concentrations was utilized to identify factors influencing these concentrations. Thirteen pesticide metabolites were detected in urine samples. The highest concentrations were observed in chlorpyrifos (TCP= 1.48 median IQ (0.57-3.5)) and pyrimethanil (2.73 median IQ (4.56 7.67)). Log-10 transformed metabolites of chlorpyrifos and profenophos were positively associated with maternal pesticide use (β = 0.13, 95%CI 0.04-0.2) and (β: 0.16 95%CI 0.0-0.3), respectively. In conclusion, this study unveiled widespread exposure to multiple pesticides and determined that pesticide concentrations in urine samples were influenced by both para-occupational and environmental exposure factors among schoolchildren.

Key words:
Pesticide; Biomarkers; School-aged children; Rural area; Exposure