Hair Pesticide Screening

100 €

Pesticide exposure test Measurement of pesticides in hair Analysis performed in a certified laboratory

📕 Instructions (PDF file)

 

Pesticides are chemicals that are harmful to humans and are used to kill insects, plants and moulds. They are widely used and we are exposed to them by ingesting water and food, inhaling polluted air or by contact with our skin.

Preventing health risks means first of all identifying them.

Performing a hair analysis is the best way to assess your personal exposure to pesticides and to know your exposome.

 

What are the main health risks of exposure to pesticides?

The most recent expert reports confirm the links between exposure to pesticides and certain cancers and respiratory diseases (INSERM 2021). They are recognised for their :

  • Carcinogenic effects
  • Mutagenic effects
  • Neurotoxic effects
  • Reprotoxic effects
  • Teratogenic effects (effects on the embryo and foetus)
  • Endocrine disruptors
  • These effects are more frequent in farmers because they handle large quantities of plant protection products.

Apart from occupational exposure, chronic exposure to pesticides can present health risks. Indeed, the toxicity of certain pesticides may be apparent from low doses of exposure due to their endocrine disrupting (hormonal) nature.

 

EXPOZOM carries out research into pollutants in the hair to assess your exposure.

Several levels of analysis are available:

The list of molecules searched for has been established to measure as a priority the most toxic substances to which humans are most commonly exposed.

Depending on the level of analysis chosen, a selection of 20 to 100 pesticides are analysed.

These organic molecules are classified as high priority for public health by the international health authorities, notably the WHO, the US EPA, the ANSES and HEALTH CANADA.

 

What pollutants are tested for in the EXPOZOM Pesticide Screening Test?

The full list of pesticides tested for is available here: Molecules Expozom Organic Screening.

Why use an EXPOZOM Pesticide Screening Test?

  • To know your personal level of exposure to pesticides.
  • To identify the most toxic pollutants to which you are exposed.
  • Understand the associated risks and be able to take action to protect your health.
  • Receive advice on how to limit your exposure.

 

What are the advantages of using an EXPOZOM Pesticide Screening analysis?

 

  • Simplicity of use: reliable and very simple sampling methods, requiring no technical skills.
  • Highly accurate measurement results.
  • Reliability of a certified French laboratory using state-of-the-art technology.
  • Complete and anonymous analysis report.
  • Prepaid return of samples included in the kit valid in France and from many countries.

Your analysis report:

  • Available within 10 working days.
  • Presents the concentrations of the analysed pesticides expressed in pg/mg (picogram of pollutant per milligram of hair). This concentration is compared to the main international standards and allows you to interpret your level of exposure to pesticides.
  • Gives clear indications to identify the sources of pesticides.
  • Recommends effective solutions to limit your daily exposure.
  • Presents the main technologies to protect yourself from exposure to these pollutions.


What does the EXPOZOM Organic Screening kit contain?

 

  • A device that allows you to take the necessary amount of hair for the analysis.
  • The analysis of your samples in a certified French laboratory.
  • The interpretation of your results by biomonitoring experts.
  • A complete and anonymous analysis report.
  • Precise instructions to guide you step by step in the performance of your sampling and a sampling sheet for the interpretation of the results.
  • Prepaid return of your samples to the laboratory.


How to use your hair sampling kit?

The measurement of pesticide exposure is carried out on the first few centimetres of a strand of hair.

  • Use the device provided to take your hair sample.
  • Carefully place the hair in the aluminium foil provided for the protection of your sample.
  • Send your sample to the laboratory with the collection form, using the pre-paid envelope provided.

How many tests do I need?

Only one EXPOZOM Pesticide Screening test kit is required to measure an individual's exposure.