Pesticides in ambient air.

In the federal states of Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria, studies were carried out in 2023 to determine the potential exposure to pesticides via the air path. 47 active substances and four metabolites were detected. The active substances can be assigned to the groups herbicides (40.4%), fungicides (40.4%), insecticides (14.9%) and repellents (4.3%). The most commonly detected substances were the herbicide chloridazone, the insecticide 2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (DNOC), the herbicide glyphosate and the repellent anthraquinone. No upright authorisations are available for chloridazone, DNOC and anthraquinone. Of the 47 active substances detected, there is no valid approval for ten active substances. The results of the study indicate possible exposure to hazardous substances for humans and the environment.