BOLZANO. The South Tyrolean Health Authority and the Provincial Agency for the Environment and Climate Protection carry out systematic monitoring of pesticide residues in children’s playgrounds on behalf of the Province. Grass samples are taken four times a year from 32 playgrounds throughout the province.
The results obtained so far for 2024 – explains the Province in a note – show very low or zero residues in all the monitored parks. This year, a total of 32 playgrounds were sampled between Salorno, Malles and Bressanone. The location was chosen to cover as much of the space intended for fruit growing as possible.
Sampling occurs in total four times a year: in March, June, October and December. This also allows an analysis to be made on the distribution of exposure over the course of the year. The results of the first three samplings in 2024 show that residues of active substances used mainly in fruit growing can be detected in playgrounds during the growing season.
As in the previous study, residues are very low. The active ingredients come from agriculture and occasionally from fighting tiger mosquitoes. The type and concentration of active ingredient residues found change over the course of the year. For example, the active ingredients Cyprodinil, Dithianon and Pyrimethalin were detected in March. Etofenprox products during the pre-flowering period. And Pyriproxyfen in the period following the budding of the trees. In the second sampling carried out in June, mainly fungicides were found. These include Fluazinam, Captan and Dodine. Cyflufenamid was also detected. And Ametoctradin, Spiroxamin and Cyflufenamid are used in viticulture for downy mildew and powdery mildew. During the June sampling two insecticides, cypermethrin and permethrin, were detected in individual municipalities. Both active ingredients are used against the spread of the tiger mosquito.
After consulting the municipalities involved, this treatment was carried out in the days preceding the survey. No pesticide residues were detected in any of the samples taken in October. The average concentrations of the active ingredients found are in a very low range. First detection at 0.036 ppm (parts per million), second at 0.025 ppm. The average concentration (second detection, cypermethrin and permethrin, 0.719 ppm) can be explained by the tiger mosquito treatment carried out shortly before sampling. After a decrease in the number and concentration of residues in the years 2018 to 2021, the 2024 values are similar to those of 2021.
Overall, the results confirm the conclusions of previous studies. They show that measures taken by agriculture effectively reduce residues, but do not exclude them completely. In conclusion – explains the note – it can be stated that the active ingredients of pesticides can be detected in some playgrounds, even if only in very low concentrations. In the interest of continuous improvement, it is necessary to continue working on optimizing application technology and reducing pesticide use. And communication in insect (e.g. tiger mosquito) control operations needs to be reconsidered and better organised.