The use of hedgerows to mitigate pesticide exposure of a population living in a rural area.

Farmer populations living in houses inside vegetable gardens are exposed to indoor pesticide pollution. The pulverization drift and volatile pesticides transported by wind are important sources of indoor pollution, which can be mitigated by hedgerows. This study was the first attempt in Brazil to investigate the efficiency of six different hedgerow species in reducing pesticide residues in air. A fluorescent compound (p-aminobenzoic acid or PABA) was introduced in the sprayed pesticide fluid that traced the pesticide in the water. Samples were collected in Petri dishes positioned on stakes at different heights in front of and behind the hedgerows. Data indicated barrier efficiency of up to 99%. Simulation of nontarget drift contamination with herbicide concentrations exhibited reduced senescence effects on leaves and posed no threat to survival. Hedgerows are feasible, simple, and inexpensive techniques, which may be used easily by farmers, independent of external support and efficiently mitigating indoor pesticide pollution, thus protecting human health. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:19-24. © 2021 SETAC.