title: Elimination of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane in occupationally exposed persons.
abstract: The elimination of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) in humans was investigated in a group of 40 former workers of a lindane-producing plant by analyzing at least 2 blood specimens (3 specimens in 3 workers) from different time points. Assuming a first-order kinetic model for excretion, the median half-life of beta-HCH is 7.2 yr calculated by concentrations in whole blood and 7.6 yr calculated by concentrations in extractable lipids. In univariate analyses an influence of age, percent body fat, and liver disease (additionally in whole blood an influence of contents of extractable lipids) on clearance was observed. All factors show a positive correlation with half-life. According to a multiple regression model, influence of percent body fat calculated according to Deurenberg et al. (1991) is an important covariate in the description of the variations of the clearance rate (calculated on the basis of extractable lipids) of beta-HCH. The data support the assumption of first-order kinetics.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, University of Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Becher
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Flesch-Janys
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gurn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Konietzko
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manz
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Päpke
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D002617:Chemical Industry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; C023888:beta-hexachlorocyclohexane