Exposure to environmental hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) among rural children in north eastern China.
OBJECTIVE
To assess HCH and DDT exposure levels and associated risk factors among 262 children aged 6-10 years in a northeastern rural area of China between April and May of 2008.


METHODS
Eight HCH and DDT metabolites in serum samples were monitored by gas chromatography. A questionnaire was administered to identify the sources of pesticides in children' serum samples.


RESULTS
At least one pesticide metabolite was detected in 81.7% of the tested children. Higher amounts of pp'DDD were detected in 50% of them. Children's age and their father's occupation as farmers, together with not changing work clothes after work, were the main risk factors for HCH and DDT exposure among them.


CONCLUSIONS
Children living in rural areas are experiencing multiple sources of organochlorine pesticide exposure. These pesticides may have been retained in the environment for a long period of time.
Lu
Yan
Y
Department of Hygienic Toxicology, College of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Zhou
Shao-Bo
SB
Li
Bai-Xiang
BX
D002648:Child; D002681:China; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D012424:Rural Population
D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane