Gaceta Sanitaria (Aug 2010)
Plaguicidas organoclorados en población general adulta de Bizkaia Organochlorine pesticides in the general adult population of Biscay (Spain)
Abstract
Objetivo: Determinar y analizar las concentraciones de siete plaguicidas organoclorados; hexaclorobenceno (HCB), beta-hexaclorociclohexano (β-HCH), gamma-hexaclorociclohexano (γ-HCH), heptacloro epóxido, beta-endosulfán, diclorodifenildicloroetileno (p,p´-DDE) y diclorodifeniltricloroetano (p,p´-DDT) en suero de adultos de cuatro zonas de Bizkaia no expuestos a fuentes conocidas de plaguicidas. Método: Se analizaron 283 muestras individuales de voluntarios captados a partir del censo. Se les entrevistó utilizando un cuestionario con variables sociodemográficas y de consumo. Se analizaron los datos utilizando la ji al cuadrado para variables discretas, y el análisis de varianza y un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple para las variables continuas. Resultados: El p,p´-DDE fue detectado en el 100% de los individuos (media: 191,43ng/g lípido), mientras que el 31% mostró valores detectables de p,p´-DDT (media: 18,9ng/g lípido). Un 96,5% de los individuos presentaban valores detectables de HCB (media: 78,56ng/g lípido); el 90,4% β-HCH (media: 42,78ng/g lípido) y un 3,5% γ-HCH. No se detectó heptacloro epóxido ni beta-endosulfán. En el modelo de regresión, el incremento de la edad aumentaba los valores de todos los plaguicidas (pObjective: To identify and analyze levels of seven organochlorine pesticides [hexachlorobenzene (HCB), beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), heptachlor epoxide, beta-endosulfan, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p´-DDT)] in the serum of adults of four areas of Biscay (Spain) not exposed to known sources of pesticides. Method: We analyzed 283 individual samples from volunteers recruited from the census. The volunteers were interviewed using a questionnaire with items on demographic variables and consumption. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test for discrete variables and analysis of variance and multiple linear regression models for continuous variables. Results: We detected p,p´-DDE in 100% of the volunteers (mean: 191.43ng/g lipid), while 31% had detectable levels of p,p´-DDT (mean: 18.9ng/g lipid). Detectable levels of HCB were found in 96.5% of the volunteers (mean: 78.56ng/g lipid), β-HCH in 90.4% (mean: 42.78ng/g lipid) and γ-HCH in 3.5%. Heptachlor epoxide and beta-endosulfan were not detected. In the regression model higher levels of all pesticides were found with increasing age (p<0.05). There were no significant differences by area of residence, except for HCB and p,p´-DDE. Women had significantly higher levels of HCB and β-HCH (p<0.001). Body mass index showed a significant positive gradient in HCB and β-HCH (p<0.05). There was no association between pesticides and other variables, breast feeding, occupation or social class. Conclusions: These results indicate that the general adult population of Biscay has been and is exposed to organochlorine pesticides. However, their levels are within the range observed by other authors.
