Methods of exposure assessment to pesticides in agriculture in epidemiological studies

In this chapter, we review the methods most commonly used in epidemiological studies for exposure assessment to pesticides, including self-reported exposure, expert-reviewed exposure, the job-exposure and crop-exposure matrix approaches, quantitative workplace exposure measurements, and record, linkage with industrial exposure databases. Strengths and limitations of each approach in relation to study designs and aims will be discussed. Finally, three examples from the recent literature, including a cross-sectional, a case-control, and a cohort study will be used to illustrate the earlier topics.