title: Discourses on the Toxic Effects of Internal Chemical Contamination in Catalonia, Spain.
abstract: Human exposure to and contamination by environmental toxic compounds generates discourses and practices that merit greater attention. In this article, we assess internal chemical contamination and the risk of toxic effects as an experience related to the production of meaning in everyday life. Drawing on the analysis of semantic networks of narratives from semi-structured interviews conducted with 43 informants in Catalonia, Spain, we consider participants' perceptions of the health risks of toxic compounds, including social discourses on exposure, toxicity, and internal chemical contamination, and on responsibilities, consequences, and proposed strategies for controlling toxic compounds. Informants' narratives on the relationships between nature and nurture suggest that they no longer perceive rigid boundaries separating the human body from the external environment and its chemical pollutants.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social Anthropology , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Larrea-Killinger
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social Anthropology , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Araceli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: b Department of Philosophy , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mascaró
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social Anthropology , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zafra
authors.affiliation: c Hospital del Mar Institute of Medical Research , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D060432:Anthropology, Medical; D001822:Body Burden; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D012306:Risk; D012938:Social Perception; D013030:Spain / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Body burden; Spain; internal chemical contamination; risk of toxic effects; social perception of danger