title: Organochlorine pesticide exposure among agricultural workers in Colombian regions with illegal crops: an exploration in a hidden and dangerous world.
abstract: A previous study suggested that banned organochlorine pesticides were being used to protect illegal crops from pests. The study herein explored the exposure of individuals living in a region with such crops. Samples from 99 individuals were collected during 2005 and 2006 and organochlorine pesticides were quantified using chromatography in serum samples. We detected heptachlor (72.73%), 4,4-DDE (19.19%), aldrin (15.15%), γ-chlordane (12.12%), dieldrin (11.11%), α-chlordane (10,10%), α-endosulfan (8.08%), endosulfan (6.06%), β-endosulfan (5.05%), oxychlordane (3.03%), 4,4-DDT (3.03%), and 2,4-DDT (2.02%). Heptachlor had a skewed and negative distribution (median: 8.69 ng/l and maximum: 43.8 ng/l). A two-dimensional biplot suggested that mixtures present were endosulfan/4,4-DDT, aldrin/γ-chlordane, and oxychlordane/β-endosulfan/dieldrin. We did not identify variables associated with exposure levels. These data suggest that banned organochlorine pesticides are used. This is an example of research in a war context, where the problems related with pesticides are complex, and their implications go beyond a toxicological or epidemiological viewpoint.
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Occupational Group, National Institute of Health, Bogota DC, Colombia. mvarona@ins.gov.co
authors.forename: Marcela Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Varona
authors.forename: Sonia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Díaz-Criollo
authors.forename: Angélica R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Lancheros-Bernal
authors.forename: Alix M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Murcia-Orjuela
authors.forename: Gloria L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Henao-Londoño
authors.forename: Alvaro Javier
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Idrovo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D003041:Coca / Q000254:growth & development; D003105:Colombia; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000254:growth & development; D004726:Endosulfan / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010207:Papaver / Q000254:growth & development; D014857:Warfare
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D004726:Endosulfan