Pesticide Exposure Characterization Among Adult Males in a Chilean Agricultural Community Using Paired Silicone Wristbands and Urine Samples

Human exposure to current-use and legacy pesticides in Chile remains largely understudied. In this pilot study, we collected silicone wristbands and urine samples to characterize pesticide exposure, assess between-matrix correlations, and identify potential exposure determinants. A total of 43 male agricultural workers enrolled in the Maule Cohort (MAUCO) were recruited in 2023. Participants wore wristbands for 8–11 days. A spot urine sample was collected upon wristband retrieval at the end of the sampling period (July–August 2023). We analyzed 20 pesticides on wristbands and 10 urinary pesticide biomarkers using GC–MS/MS and LC–MS/MS targeted methods. We estimated univariable associations between concentrations in both sampling matrices and individual demographic and behavioral factors collected via questionnaires. Participants (42–64 years) reported a median of 25 years in agricultural work, yet only 37% reported prior pesticide training. Among the frequently detected analytes (>80% detection frequency), we found significant and positive correlations between chlorpyrifos, cis -permethrin, and trans -permethrin, and their corresponding urinary metabolites ( r s = 0.34–0.53; p < 0.05). When stratified by job title, the strongest correlations were found among field workers ( r s = 0.49–0.71; p < 0.05). Field re-entry work was a significant determinant across both matrices, highlighting a potential modifiable exposure pathway. Silicone wristbands provide a complementary noninvasive method to estimate personal pesticide exposure, offering insights into critical exposure patterns in under-resourced settings.