title: Serum concentrations of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDE) in a sample of agricultural workers from Bolivia.
abstract: Organochlorine pesticide p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is still used for vector control in several tropical and subtropical areas of South America and there is evidence of recent illegal use in agriculture. Its main breakdown product in the environment and living organisms is p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), which is considered a marker of past exposure to DDT. The aim of the present study was to assess human exposure to p,p'-DDE in a sample of agricultural farmers from three rural communities in eastern Bolivia. In addition, o,p'-DDT was analyzed as a surrogate of a potential ongoing exposure to the pesticide. Face-to-face questionnaires were performed, and serum samples were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. p,p'-DDE was found in 100% of the samples, with a median concentration of 19.7ngmL(-1) (4788.7ng/g lipid), while o,p'-DDT was detected in 3 samples (4.3%). Serum p,p'-DDE concentrations were associated with time of residence in the study area, personal hygiene after work, and body mass index in adjusted multinomial logistic regression models with tertiles of p,p'-DDE as the dependent variable. The present results revealed high levels of exposure to p,p'-DDE, which might be derived from a heavily polluted local environment and past occupational exposure. These findings deserve further attention due to the potential associated health risks and point to the need for the continuous monitoring of these populations.
authors: Instituto de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Bioquímicas, Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno, Calle México s/n, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. lamr@urv.cat
authors: Luis A
authors: LA
authors: Mercado
authors: Sara M
authors: SM
authors: Freille
authors: Jasmin S
authors: JS
authors: Vaca-Pereira
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Cuellar
authors: Lizbeth
authors: L
authors: Flores
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Mutch
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Olea
authors: Juan P
authors: JP
authors: Arrebola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D001838:Bolivia; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000097:blood*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene