Approximately 90.000 people in the Netherlands reside within 50 meters of flower bulb or fruit cultivation. Because it is unclear how many of these people are exposed to pesticides or if their health is at risk as a result, RIVM Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu) Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu  has coordinated scientific research into the exposure of residents to pesticides.

Approximately 90.000 people in the Netherlands reside within 50 meters of flower bulb or fruit cultivation. Because it is unclear how many of these people are exposed to pesticides or if their health is at risk as a result, RIVM Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu) has coordinated scientific research into the exposure of residents to pesticides.

The research is based upon advice from the Dutch Health Council and is carried out by order of the Dutch ministries of Infrastructure & Water Management and Economic Affairs & Climate Policy.

 

Better insight into local residents’ exposure to pesticides

Residues of pesticides were found in the air outside homes located near flower bulb fields, in the dust on their doormats and in the household dust. Residues were, moreover, found in the urine of both adults and children living near flower bulb fields. The levels of pesticides measured in the air and urine did not exceed the risk limits, but more research is needed into the risks of the entire range of pesticides for residents.