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Strobilurin fungicides in house dust: is wallboard a source?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cooper, EM; Rushing, R; Hoffman, K; Phillips, AL; Hammel, SC; Zylka, MJ; Stapleton, HM
Published in: Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology
March 2020

Strobilurin fungicides are used primarily in fruits and vegetables, but recently, a patent was issued for one strobilurin fungicide, azoxystrobin, in mold-resistant wallboard. This raises concerns about the potential presence of these chemicals in house dust and potential exposure indoors, particularly in young children. Furthermore, recent toxicological studies have suggested that strobilurins may cause neurotoxicity. Currently, it is not clear whether or not azoxystrobin applications in wallboard lead to exposures in the indoor environments. The purpose of this study was to determine if azoxystrobin, and related strobilurins, could be detected in house dust. We also sought to characterize the concentrations of azoxystrobin in new wallboard samples. To support this study, we collected and analyzed 16 new dry wall samples intentionally marketed for use in bathrooms to inhibit mold. We then analyzed 188 house dust samples collected from North Carolina homes in 2014-2016 for azoxystrobin and related strobilurins, including pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, and fluoxastrobin using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Detection frequencies for azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, and fluoxastrobin ranged from 34-87%, with azoxystrobin being detected most frequently and at the highest concentrations (geometric mean = 3.5 ng/g; maximum = 10,590 ng/g). Azoxystrobin was also detected in mold-resistant wallboard samples, primarily in the paper covering where it was found at concentrations up to 88.5 µg/g. Cumulatively, these results suggest that fungicides present in wallboard may be migrating to the indoor environment, leading to exposure in the residences that would constitute a separate exposure pathway independent of dietary exposures.

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Published In

Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology

DOI

EISSN

1559-064X

ISSN

1559-0631

Publication Date

March 2020

Volume

30

Issue

2

Start / End Page

247 / 252

Related Subject Headings

  • Strobilurins
  • Pyrimidines
  • North Carolina
  • Imines
  • Fungicides, Industrial
  • Epidemiology
  • Dust
  • Construction Industry
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Air Pollution, Indoor
 

Citation

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Cooper, E. M., Rushing, R., Hoffman, K., Phillips, A. L., Hammel, S. C., Zylka, M. J., & Stapleton, H. M. (2020). Strobilurin fungicides in house dust: is wallboard a source? Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 30(2), 247–252. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-019-0180-z
Cooper, Ellen M., Rosie Rushing, Kate Hoffman, Allison L. Phillips, Stephanie C. Hammel, Mark J. Zylka, and Heather M. Stapleton. “Strobilurin fungicides in house dust: is wallboard a source?Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology 30, no. 2 (March 2020): 247–52. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-019-0180-z.
Cooper EM, Rushing R, Hoffman K, Phillips AL, Hammel SC, Zylka MJ, et al. Strobilurin fungicides in house dust: is wallboard a source? Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology. 2020 Mar;30(2):247–52.
Cooper, Ellen M., et al. “Strobilurin fungicides in house dust: is wallboard a source?Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, vol. 30, no. 2, Mar. 2020, pp. 247–52. Epmc, doi:10.1038/s41370-019-0180-z.
Cooper EM, Rushing R, Hoffman K, Phillips AL, Hammel SC, Zylka MJ, Stapleton HM. Strobilurin fungicides in house dust: is wallboard a source? Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology. 2020 Mar;30(2):247–252.

Published In

Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology

DOI

EISSN

1559-064X

ISSN

1559-0631

Publication Date

March 2020

Volume

30

Issue

2

Start / End Page

247 / 252

Related Subject Headings

  • Strobilurins
  • Pyrimidines
  • North Carolina
  • Imines
  • Fungicides, Industrial
  • Epidemiology
  • Dust
  • Construction Industry
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Air Pollution, Indoor