Access the technical guide

This analysis kit contains asilicone wristbandthat must be worn continuously for 7 days.

With its exceptional absorbent properties, silicone is a particularly useful material formeasuring environmental pollution. When worn as a wristband for a week, it accumulates the pollutants to which the body is exposed. 

Laboratory analysis of the wristband identifies the pollutants to which you are exposed and determines the level of pollution.The results are compared to human exposure statisticsestablished by Kudzu Science.

Pesticides, which areubiquitous in our environment, are now a major public health concern. Exposure to pesticides occurs primarily through ingestion and inhalation: via water and food, but also through household activities (use of mosquito repellents, treating pets, etc.) and throughthe air we breathe (agricultural spraying, contamination of the home, etc.).

These molecules, which belong to the SVOC (Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds) family, are not very volatile at room temperature. In the presence of a heat source, they become gaseous and contaminate the ambient air. Pesticides also settle on dust particles, the finest of which remain suspended in the air we breathe.

If you live near agricultural areas (fields, vineyards, orchards, etc.), you may be exposed to pesticides, which can be carried by the wind over several kilometers around the application site.

Furthermore, non-agricultural sources of pesticide emissions are widely underestimated. Wooden structures (roof trusses, antique wooden furniture, etc.) are treated to prevent damage from mold or insects. Insecticides such as mosquito repellents, veterinary products (antiparasitics), treatments against mites, and plant protection products like herbicides or insecticides sold in supermarkets and garden centers only add to the list of pollutants surrounding us.

Sincepesticides found indoors are not subject to the same climatic conditions and biological degradation as those outdoors, they tend to accumulate indoors. Most of these substances are toxic , and chronic exposure—even at low concentrations—poses health risks (effects on development and reproduction, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, etc.). If your home or workplace is contaminated, you may be inhaling these molecules while you’re there.

This testing kit measures your exposure to 8 pesticides. The wristband sampling device is very simple to use: after wearing the wristband continuously for 7 days and returning it to Kudzu Science, it is analyzed in a laboratory to identify and quantify the pesticides present. In the absence of guideline values, the results are compared to statistical data established by the laboratory.

Do you want to know your chronic exposure to pesticides not derived from your diet? Do you live near farmland (fields, vineyards, orchards, gardens, etc.)? Does your home contain structural and/or decorative elements made of solid wood (hardwood floors, beams, roof trusses, wood paneling)? Has your home been treated for pests (flying insects or wood-boring insects)? Do you have pets that you treat with pest control products?

This kit will allow you to test for 8 agricultural and/or household pesticides that may be present in your body.

Pesticides can cause numerous health problems, depending on their chemical and biological properties. They can be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction, and can harm the development of children (asendocrine disruptors). Chronic exposure can have consequences for your health, which is why it’s important to know your level of exposure.

Would you like to measure your exposure to plasticizers? Check out ourPlastic Pollution Wristband Kit. We also offer anEndocrine Disruptors Wristband Pack, whichsimultaneously measuresplasticizers and pesticides.

You can also measure your exposure to pesticides with the Hair Pesticide Test Kit, or check for pesticide contamination in your home using ourDust Pesticide Test Kit.

You can also test for pesticides in your water using our Drinking Water Kit(tap water) and our Natural Water Kit(well, pond, river).

• Insecticides
  - Fipronil: This substance, classified as a possible carcinogen by the U.S. EPA and as an endocrine disruptor according to The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, has antiparasitic and insecticidal properties. Previously used in agriculture (seed coating) to control insect pests, it is now banned for this use in most European countries because it is accused of contributing to bee mortality. However, it is authorized for treating pets against fleas and ticks, which explains why it can be found in homes and, consequently, inhaled or ingested. In 2017, a scandal involving the contamination of chicken eggs with fipronil broke out in Europe.
  - Permethrin: This compound acts on the nervous system of insects and is not selective in its action. Permethrin is found in insecticides sprayed directly onto clothing and mosquito nets, in anti-lice shampoos, and in pet treatments (such as flea treatments, except for cats, which are particularly sensitive to it). It is also used as a soil treatment around homes to control termites or as a spray against other insects (wasps, ants, etc.). Permethrin is highly toxic (neurotoxic) to many animals, but its toxicity to humans has not yet been officially assessed. It is classified as an endocrine disruptor by the University of Hertfordshire.Read our article on permethrin.

• Fungicides
  -Tebuconazole: This is a systemic fungicide—meaning it is absorbed by the plant after application—and a growth regulator. The use of tebuconazole is authorized in Europe for vineyards, as well as for field crops such as grains, vegetables, and fruit trees. It is also used as a biocide to protect coatings, wood, and building materials. Tebuconazole is classified as a possible carcinogen by the U.S. EPA and may have neurotoxic effects, primarily on developing fetuses.

The compounds analyzed by Kudzu Science were selected for the relevance of their research, based on the results obtained from hair samples analyzed in the laboratory since 2014, particularly their occurrence (detection frequency).

List of Analyzed Compounds

Everything is included inyour analysis kit:

• Asilicone wristband;
• Detailed instructionsto guide you step by step through the process;
• Analuminum case fortransporting your wristband;
• Aprepaidreturn envelopefor sending your sample to the lab (from mainland France only);
• Analysis of your sampleusing chemical extraction and liquid or gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry;
• Adetailed and interpreted analysis report.

This kit is the easiest to use: simply unpack the wristband, wear it continuously for 7 days, and return it to us (after making sure to pack it properly).

Instructions for Using the Wristband Kit

Your report will be available for direct download from the“My Kudzu Kit”sectionofour websitewithin 15 business daysafter your sample is received at the lab.This timeframe is reduced to 5 days if you select the “express” option.

You will receive a comprehensive, personalized, and interpreted analysis report detailing your results, information on the pollutants tested for, and advice on how to limit your exposure to pesticides. It is designed to allow you to quickly and easily compare your results with those obtained during measurement campaigns conducted by the laboratory.

Example of an interpreted analysis report (excerpt)