In a study published in ACS Agricultural Science & Technology, researchers investigated the potential risks of pesticide exposure for golfers playing on courses treated with common pesticides. The study focused on four pesticides commonly used on golf course turfgrass: cyfluthrin, chlorothalonil, MCPP-p, and 2,4-D. These pesticides have low volatilities and relatively low toxicities for humans, but the researchers wanted to determine if exposure levels during a round of golf could pose a health risk.
To conduct the study, the researchers created a “worst-case-scenario” 18-hole course where all areas were treated with the maximum recommended amount of the four pesticides. Eight volunteer golfers then played a round on the treated turf one hour after pesticide application and remained on the course for four hours. The researchers measured pesticide exposure by collecting samples from the volunteers’ clothing and conducting urinalysis to assess the levels of pesticide residues present.
The results of the study indicated that the hand and lower leg segments of the volunteers had the highest levels of pesticide residue, while airborne residues contributed little to overall exposure. The researchers calculated the hazard quotient (HQ) to assess the risk of exposure based on the levels of pesticides found on the clothing and in the urine samples. The HQ values from the study indicated little risk of adverse effects from the four pesticides used in the research.
When comparing the results of the study to a previous study conducted with older, more neurotoxic insecticides at the same simulated golf course site, the researchers found that the HQ values were well below the level that indicates potentially unsafe exposure. This comparison highlighted the potential benefits of using modern, lower volatility, and less toxic pesticides in reducing the risk of adverse effects for golfers exposed to pesticide-treated turfgrass.
The authors of the study noted that the research was funded by the United States Golf Association and the New England Regional Turf Foundation. The findings suggest that, while there may be some pesticide exposure when playing golf on treated courses, the risks are likely minimal when using the pesticides studied in this research. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential risks of pesticide exposure for golfers and highlights the importance of using safer, modern pesticides in maintaining turfgrass on golf courses.
