Nonoccupational Determinants of Plasma DDT and p,p'-DDE in Men from Chiapas, Mexico

• Published in: Archives of environmental health Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 42 - 49
• Main Authors: Barraza-Villarreal, Albino, FarÍAS, Paulina, Sánchez, Vicente Díaz, Bailey, Janice L., De Jager, Tiaan, Ayotte, Pierre, Hernández-ávila, Mauricio, Dewailly, Eric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Heldref 01.01.2004
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, Gas; contamination; Cross-Sectional Studies; DDT; DDT - blood; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene - blood; Endemic Diseases - prevention & control; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Humans; Insecticides - blood; malaria; Malaria - prevention & control; Male; Medical sciences; Mexico; Mexico - epidemiology; Mosquito Control - methods; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; reproductive health; Toxicology; Central America; Mexico; America; Mexico, Chiapas; Human; Insecticide; DDE; Rate; Pesticides; Male; Epidemiology; Blood plasma; Organochlorine compounds; DDT; Pollution source; Pollution source inventory; Non occupational; Public health
• ISSN: 0003-9896; 2331-4303
• DOI: 10.3200/AEOH.59.1.42-49

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate nonoccupational biological exposure to 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) compounds and to identify the main factors associated with such exposure in a malaria endemic region in Mexico. Capillary gas column chromatography was used to determine levels of p,p'-DDT and its metabolites in plasma. The mean age of the 144 male participants was 28 yr. Mean p,p'-DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene) and p,p'-DDT levels were 203.5 μg/l and 67.4 μg/l, respectively. Those whose houses had been sprayed for malaria control had much higher p,p'-DDE levels (p < 0.001). High levels of chlorinated pesticides were found despite being banned in Mexico for agricultural and public health use. Findings demonstrate the role of antimalarial campaigns as a major contributing factor for high DDT plasma levels.