Chlorinated pesticides: threats to health and importance of detection.
Although chlorinated pesticides have been mostly banned from use in the United States, their persistent presence in the environment poses an ongoing threat to health. Because of the lipophilic nature of chlorinated pesticides, they are bioaccumulative and difficult to excrete from the body. A select group of these xenobiotics is also associated with a wide range of health problems, identification of which would aid in disease prevention and reversal. Ongoing research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now provides national standards for some of these compounds, allowing the clinician to evaluate levels in a patient. Serum samples are easily obtained and can reveal the presence of these xenobiotics. Eight of the most commonly found and harmful chlorinated pesticides are reviewed in this article, along with the most common sources of exposure and possible action steps.
Crinnion
Walter J
WJ
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, USA. w.crinnion@scnm.edu
D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D003634:DDT / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005504:Food Analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States
D002273:Carcinogens; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; D003634:DDT