Pesticide Residues on Playgrounds in South Tyrol

Summary
In this project, we assessed the risk for pesticide contamination of non-target areas in South-Tyrol which are visited by the sensitive popultation. We took grass samples and analysed them for up to 300 different pesticides using standard gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Pesticide levels are generally monitored within agricultural areas, but are commonly not assessed at public places. To assess possible contamination of non-target areas, 71 public playgrounds located next to intensively managed agricultural areas dominated by apple orchards.the impact of environmental site characteristics on the number and concentration of pesticides was assessed.

Publications

R Cech, JG Zaller, A Lyssimachou, P Clausing, K Hertoge, C Linhart. Pesticide drift mitigation measures appear to reduce contamination of non-agricultural areas, but hazards to humans and the environment remain. Science of the Total Environment. 2023. Jan 1; 854.

C Linhart, S Panzacchi, F Belpoggi, P Clausing, JG Zaller, K Hertoge. Year-round pesticide contamination of public sites near intensively managed agricultural areas in South Tyrol. Environmental Sciences Europe. 2021 Jan 6; 33 (1).

C Linhart, G H Niedrist, M Nagler, R Nagrani, V Temml, T Bardelli, T Wilhalm, A Riedl, J G Zaller, P Clausing, K Hertoge. Pesticide contamination and associated risk factors at public playgrounds near intensively managed apple and wine orchards. Environmental Sciences Europe. 2019 May 8; 31, 28.