Pesticides in wine-growing areas: Public Health France and ANSES launch an unprecedented study

The study on the exposure to pesticides of populations living in wine - growing areas launched on Tuesday 19 October will run until August. It will concern 3,350 people.

10/19/2021



Is there a difference in exposure to pesticides between people who live near vines and those who are far from them? To answer this question, Public Health France and the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) are launching an unprecedented study on Tuesday, October 19.

Called PestiRiv, it must collect data from 3,350 people drawn at random in six regions: adults between 18 and 79 years old and children over 3 years old. Some live in wine-growing areas, others don't. The study will be spread over two periods: from October 2021 to February 2022, during which treatments are infrequent; from March to August 2022, when treatments are more frequent.

Urine, hair and dust samples

To determine "the actual level of exposure of the population", Public Health France and ANSES will in particular take samples of urine, hair, but also air dust in homes or fruit and vegetables from of the participants' gardens. They will try to identify the sources of exposure: air (indoor and outdoor), food or professional activity.

The objective is thus "to objectively identify the sources which contribute the most to exposure to pesticides and to adapt preventive measures".