Environmental and lifestyle factors for organochlorine exposure among women living in Southern Spain

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 62; no. 11; pp. 1917 - 1924
• Main Authors: Cerrillo, I., Olea-Serrano, M.F., Ibarluzea, J., Exposito, J., Torne, P., Laguna, J., Pedraza, V., Olea, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: adipose tissue; Adipose Tissue - chemistry; Adult; age; Aged; aldrin; Biological and medical sciences; breast feeding; DDE (pesticide); DDT (pesticide); dieldrin; educational status; endosulfan; endrin; environmental exposure; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Exposure; farm labor; Female; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis; insecticide residues; Life Style; Lifestyle; lindane; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; occupational exposure; parity (reproduction); Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pesticides; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Spain; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toxicology; Women; Spain; Europe; Women; Lifestyle; Exposure; Pesticides; Human; Insecticide; Adipose tissue; Lindane; Rate; Epidemiology; Pollutant; Health and environment; DDT; Organochlorine compounds; Environment; Female; Public health; Life style
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.07.024

Southern Spain has the largest area of intensive greenhouse agriculture in Europe, and may constitute a special case of occupational and female exposure, because this type of farming requires considerable pesticide use and employs many women. We measured adipose tissue levels of 14 organochlorine pesticides in 458 women living in this area and analyzed the relationship between pesticide level/presence and sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history or life-style factors that may influence this exposure. Pesticide presence was determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detector. All fat samples were positive for ⩾1 residue. DDT or metabolites were found in 98.25%, with mean value of 660 ng g −1 of lipid. p, p′-DDE level was higher in women who were older, with lower educational level or obese. Almost 70% had measurable levels of endosulfan and/or metabolites, with a mean total value of 38.8 ng g −1 of lipid. Endosulfan-I exposure was higher in women with shorter residence in rural settings and more frequent in women with ⩾3 children. 52.62% were exposed to ⩾1 of aldrin–dieldrin–endrin group. Endrin was more frequent in women who were younger, with higher educational level or no agricultural working experience; dieldrin was more frequent in women who were older, with lower educational level or more children. Finally, lindane residues were found in 39.30%. Lindane levels were higher in women who breastfed longer or had more children. Research is required on women occupationally exposed to a selected group of organochlorine pesticides, especially those of reproductive age, as a basis for preventive action.