German Environmental Survey 1998 (geres Iii): Pesticides and Other Pollutants in House Dust

The German Environmental Survey (GerES) is a large-scale population study which has repeatedly been carried out in Germany. GerES I was conducted in 1985/86 followed by GerES II in 1990/92 and GerES III in 1998. In GerES III about 750 samples of house dust collected in homes of the study participants were analysed for their content of PCP, lindane, DDT, propoxur, methoxychlor, chlorpyrifos, polychlorinated sulfonamide diphenyl ethers, pyrethroids and PCB. Flame proofing agents (e.g., TCEP, PBDE) and plasticisers (e.g., phthalates) were analysed in 200 samples. The analytical results are given and discussed. Looking at trends over time, it can be stated that the concentrations of PCP and lindane in house dust have decreased between 1990/92 and 1998 while the concentration of permethrin remained about the same. INDEX TERMS GerES, Pesticides, House dust, Flame proofing agents, Plasticisers. INTRODUCTION The German Environmental Survey (GerES) is a nationwide representative population study conducted to assess the exposure of the German population to various pollutants. The first German Environmental Survey was carried out in 1985/86 in West-Germany (GerES I). In 1990/92 the survey was repeated (GerES II), extending it at the same time to the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). GerES III was conducted in 1998. As dust in the indoor environment contributes to human total exposure, analysis of house dust samples has been included in GerES, the general emphasis of which being on human biomonitoring. In GerES III these samples were analysed inter alia for their content of pesticides (PCP, lindane, DDT, propoxur, methoxychlor, chlorpyrifos, polychlorinated sulfonamide diphenyl ethers), pyrethroids, flame proofing agents and plasticisers (phthalates and organo-phosphates). METHODS As in previous surveys, the study population of GerES III was selected from the subject reservoir of the German National Health Survey (Hoffmeister et al. 1996) and was representative with regard to age (18 to 69 years), gender, community size and place of residence (Westor East-Germany). A total of 4822 persons from 120 localities participated in GerES III. The sampling procedures, the study design and the field work in GerES III were generally identical to those of GerES II (Seifert et al. 2000a). Like its predecessors, GerES III comprised human biomonitoring, collection of information on exposure conditions via questionnaires, and the determination of exposure conditions in the home by analysis of drinking water and house dust. However, in comparison to GerES II the age limit was lowered * Contact author email: [email protected] Proceedings: Indoor Air 2002