Elevated Serum Oxychlordane is Associated with Increased Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999‐2004

Abstract

Obesity, diet, and physical inactivity are risk factors commonly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, exposure to chlordane, a persistent organic pesticide that has been banned in the US since 1983, has been associated with metabolic risk. Chlordane continues to be found in indoor air of homes treated for termites as well as in foods. The objective of this research was to use the most recent non‐pooled NHANES data on chlordane exposure (1999‐2004) and its effect on metabolic syndrome risk. Data from NHANES were used to calculate odds ratios for metabolic syndrome, each of its five risk component measures, and related health markers in relationship with subjects' plasma oxychlordane concentrations. The logistic regression model used was adjusted for the influence of age, gender, ethnicity, BMI, and poverty income ratio. A total of 3465 adult subjects were used in this study. A significant relationship was found between plasma oxychlordane concentration (OR of highest quartile compared to the lowest quartile, 95% CI) and the prevalence of MetS (2.58, 1.80‐3.71), hypertriglyceridemia (3.26, 1.92‐5.46), elevated waist circumference (2.24, 1.34‐3.76), elevated blood pressure (2.58, 1.96‐3.38), and hyperglycemia (2.05, 1.23‐3.42). Additional post hoc analyses showed that high oxychlordane concentrations were also significantly related to elevated glycosylated hemoglobin, C‐reactive protein, and the homeostatic assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). In conclusion, despite a nearly 20 year ban on its use, a significant association between plasma oxychlordane concentration and risk for metabolic syndrome exists.