Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Residues in Human Adipose Tissue
2002
Mariottini, M. | Guerranti, C. | Aurigi, S. | Corsi, I. | Focardi, S.
Organochlorine compounds are highly toxic man-made molecules that persist in most environmental compartments including the atmosphere, soil, water, sediments and biota (Duarte-Davidson et al., 1994; Loganathan and Kannan, 1994; Corsolini et al., 1995). Compounds like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), including its persistent metabolite dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be amplified up the food web and ultimately passed on to humans at high concentrations (Geyer et al. 1986; Focardi et al. 1986; Clement and Colborn, 1992; Giittes et al. 1998). Because of their lipophilic nature, organochlorines tend to accumulate in fatty tissues which entails considerable toxicological implications for human health. Human adipose tissue analysis allows to determine whether humans are exposed to such toxic molecules.Although the use and production of organochlorine compounds has been banned in many countries, they continue to be found in the environment, especially in biological matrixes. The aim of this study was to determine HCB, DDT and PCB levels in human adipose tissue. Two areas that differ by their geographical and socio-economic conditions were chosen for our study: Siena (Italy) and Concepción (Chile). In both countries, laws regulating the use of organochlorine compounds were applied in the eighties. Additional data regarding age and sex was collected for correlation between these variables and organochlorine levels.
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