ANSES launches its Pesti’home study of domestic pesticide use in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion Island
On 6 February 2015, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) will launch its Pesti'home study, conducted by the French Observatory for Pesticide Residues (ORP), in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion Island. The aim of this study, which covers the entire country, is to gain better understanding of domestic uses of products designed to eliminate pests in and around the home. It is the first study on this topic and its results will help better assess exposure of the French population to pesticides.
Why conduct the Pesti’home study?
The aim of the Pesti’home study is to better understand how the population living in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion Island and metropolitan France uses products designed to eliminate pests from the home as well as outside the house (courtyard, patio, façade, garden, vegetable patch, etc.). Products used to treat pets against ticks, fleas, etc. are also concerned. These products are all covered by regulations on plant protection products, biocides and veterinary medicinal products.
This study is being funded by the Ministries for Ecology, Health and Agriculture, as part of the Ecophyto plan. It will help define the public health priorities for reducing population exposure to pesticides. This study addresses one of the recommendations of the INSERM collective expert appraisal on pesticides and their health effects, published in June 2013.
Who is taking part in Pesti'home and how?
The Pesti’home study will be conducted in 10 municipalities in each département. Households in these municipalities have been selected at random to take part in the study, which will begin on 6 February and continue for two months. A total of 600 households will take part.
Starting on 30 January, if your home has been chosen you will receive a letter from ANSES inviting you to participate in this scientific study. You will then be contacted by an investigator from LH2 DOM, the company commissioned by ANSES, who will explain the study details.
If you agree to participate, you will help the investigator identify the products used in your home and describe how you use them. Your participation in the study is voluntary and all the data collected will be kept strictly confidential. Your answers are very important for us, since the more households participate, the sounder the study will be.
ANSES is counting on your collaboration. Thank you!