1. Pesticide Exposure of EU Population
PILOT PROJECT - Hair Biomonitoring Campaign – 6 Countries
The Greens / European Free Alliance in the European Parliament

2. Study Design & Organisation
Pesticide Exposure of EU Population
Why hair testing ?
> Hair is a unique biomonitoring tool to study long-term & chronic exposure
> Used in forensic investigations and for drug abuse screening
> Hair stores exposure information inside its structure
> Hair samples are easy to collect and to transport
Sample collection and analysis
> Anonymous Hair collection kits were distributed to volunteers
> 6 EU participating countries: Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Denmark and United Kingdom (Wales)
> 148 volunteers sent hair samples to the laboratory (via post) for analysis
30 Selected Pesticides and Biocides
> Authorized use in EU as pesticides or only as biocides
> Found in food (EFSA pesticides in food reports)
> Endocrine disruption toxicity (Health effects on hormonal regulation at very low doses)

3. Occurrence of samples with pesticide residues
Main Results
Pesticide contamination of EU Population
with
pesticide residues
Occurrence of samples with pesticide residues

4. Main Results Pesticide Contamination per Country
15 Pesticides found (out of 30)
> 60.1% with at least 1 pesticide residue
> 23.1% with at least 2 pesticide residues
Average number of pesticide per sample
pg/mg
Average conc. of pesticide per sample
4 Active substances with Highest Occurrence
> Biocide / Domestic use: Fipronil (insecticide, 29.7%) and Permethrin (insecticide, 18.9%)
> Pesticide / Agriculture use: Chlorpyrifos (insecticide, 10.1%) and Propiconazole (fungicide, 18.9%)

5. Main Results Pesticide Contamination per Age Category
Highest occurrences
Age 0-10 : Permethrin (25.0%) and Propiconazole (28,6%)
Age : Chlorpyrifos (15.8%) and Fipronil (42,1%)
Average number of pesticides per age category
pg/mg
Average conc. of pesticides per age category

6. Pesticide Toxicity Known Health Effects
> Exposure to low dose (EDC)
> Cocktail effect (mixture of chemicals)
CHLORPYRIPHOS
FIPRONIL
PERMETHRIN
PROPICONAZOLE
YES
SUSPECTED
Carcinogen
> Induce development of cancer
Endocrine Disruption
> Hormones are specific and sensitive chemical messengers
> ED induces change in hormone regulation system
> Elevated risk for pregnant women, babies & children
Neurotoxicity
> Nerves deliver electric messages
> Acetylcholin neurotransmitter (Acethylcholinesterase inhibitor)
Toxic for Development and Reproduction
> Induce reproductive issues (fertility, birth defect …)
> Foetal malformation
> Brain development

7. Contact Vincent PEYNET, Ph.D.  +33 369 614 600  contact@ires-lab.com
Technical & Scientific Information
Vincent PEYNET, Ph.D.  