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Comparison of Organochlorine Pesticide Levels in Human Adipose Tissue of Inhabitants from Veracruz and Puebla, Mexico

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Abstract

Since the discovery of insecticide properties of DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane) and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane), they have provided great benefits to humans in sanitary actions to combat the spread of infection-borne disease vectors. Public Health Programs in Mexico used DDT and HCH until 1999 as the insecticides of choice to control disease-transmitting organisms. Because of their persistence and accumulative properties, organochlorine pesticides bioconcentrate in lipids of the human body, reflecting the rate of environmental exposure. Eighty human abdominal adipose tissue samples from Veracruz and 80 samples from Puebla were analyzed and the obtained results were compared among both populations. The results from Veracruz showed higher contamination levels (mg/kg on lipid base) compared to Puebla: β-HCH, 0.072 vs. 0.029; pp′DDE (Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), 2.364 vs. 0.726; op’DDT, 0.022 vs. 0.025; pp′DDT, 0.192 vs. 0.061; and Σ-DDT, 2.589 vs. 0.806. The population from Veracruz and from Puebla divided by sex, origin, and cause of death presented no statistical differences. The comparison between sexes (women and men groups) at Veracruz and Puebla indicated significantly higher levels in Veracruz and statistical significant differences. Calculating possible risks (odds ratios, OR), pp′DDE (OR = 5.04) and op′DDT (OR = 2.93) revealed significantly higher risk for the Veracruz population. The study indicated prolonged DDT exposure of Mexicans caused by the past sanitary use and persistence of its residues in soils and air.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their appreciation to Dana Erickson and Winston Smith of the Peace Corps México for the revision of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Veracruz, SS Juan Pablo II s/n, 91980, Boca del Río, Mexico

    Stefan M. Waliszewski & C. A. Corona

  2. University Autonomous of Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico

    R. Valencia Quintana

  3. Biomedical Sciences Doctor Study, University of Veracruz, Xalapa, Mexico

    M. Herrero

  4. Forensic Medicine Services, Puebla, Mexico

    K. Sánchez, H. Aguirre & I. A. Aldave

  5. Center of Atmospheric Sciences, UNAM, Mexico city, Mexico

    S. Gomez Arroyo & R. Villalobos Pietrini

Authors
  1. Stefan M. Waliszewski
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  2. R. Valencia Quintana
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  3. C. A. Corona
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  4. M. Herrero
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  5. K. Sánchez
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  6. H. Aguirre
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  7. I. A. Aldave
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  8. S. Gomez Arroyo
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  9. R. Villalobos Pietrini
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Correspondence to Stefan M. Waliszewski.

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Waliszewski, S.M., Valencia Quintana, R., Corona, C.A. et al. Comparison of Organochlorine Pesticide Levels in Human Adipose Tissue of Inhabitants from Veracruz and Puebla, Mexico. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 58, 230–236 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-009-9325-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-009-9325-8

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