Institute statisticians evaluated data collected by SwRI during mixing and boom spraying of herbicides. Results indicated that milligram levels of pesticides typically were detected on the hands and body, while microgram levels typically were inhaled. Applications with hand-held sprayers generally yield lower exposure levels. However, application of a common pesticide using a hand-held duster produced the largest dermal and inhalation exposures observed. As farmers in Iowa and North Carolina continue to be monitored for possible development of specific cancers, the NCI will conduct nested case-control studies to determine if those cancers can be associated with documented specific pesticide exposure levels.
Researchers hope to determine if environmental contaminants increase the risk of breast cancer.
Scientists are analyzing carpet dust samples from the homes of 325 recently diagnosed female breast cancer patients and a 325-member control group who have lived in their homes for 15 years or more. Under evaluation are 16 pesticides, three polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and 13 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners. SwRI is in the fifth year of a contract with the FDA to provide analytical support for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in its effort to develop and apply technologies to detect, identify, and determine hazards of natural and manmade contaminants in food and cosmetics. Under this contract, Institute scientists measure vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, and contaminants in animal feeds and tissues. The SSI will assess the impact of alkylphenols on local shallow drinking water supplies on Cape Cod as part of a breast cancer study in that area.