Assessing environmental exposure to phyto-pharmaceutical products in a wine-growing area of Alsace, France: Combined indoor and outdoor air and dust sampling

Abstract

This study assessed the contamination of ambient air and dust with phyto-pharmaceutical products (PPPs) in homes near agricultural areas, particularly those close to vineyards, to determine the link between local agricultural activities and exposure risks. Residents in such areas face a higher likelihood of PPPs exposure, making it critical to evaluate the impact of agriculture on air quality.

From March 2018 to December 2019, systematic sampling was conducted in nine houses, including a reference house near vineyards, in an Alsatian village in Bas-Rhin, France. The study monitored 38 molecules in 347 passive air samples and 127 dust samples, using Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE), Thermal Desorption (TD), and GC/MSMS for quantification.

The results showed the presence of various PPPs in air and dust, including several compounds typically used in field crops. The six most frequently detected molecules were cyprodinil (fungicide), diflufenican (herbicide), fenpropidin (fungicide), metamitron (herbicide), and prosulfocarb (herbicide). Metamitron, found in over 50% of both indoor and outdoor air samples and 70% of dust samples, was especially prevalent.

The study concluded that passive air sampling is an effective method for monitoring PPP contamination, while dust sampling provides valuable complementary data. Regular, frequent sampling is essential to understanding contamination patterns and seasonal variations, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring in residential areas near agricultural fields.