Organochlorine pesticide residues and urinary arsenic and fluoride levels in mothers and their newborns who are residents of rural areas in Durango State, Mexico

Abstract

ABSTRACT Maternal and prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCP), arsenic (As), and fluoride (F−) is a critical public health concern. The present study assessed serum OCP residues and urinary As and F− levels in mother and newborn pairs who are residents of rural areas of Durango State, Mexico, from August 2018 to February 2019. Levels of OCP, As, and F− were measured in serum and urine samples by Gas chromatography – Tandem mass spectrometry (GC – MS/MS), Hydride generation – Atomic fluorescent spectrometry (HG-AFS, and ion-selective electron analysis (ISE), respectively, in 60 binomial mothers – newborns. Dieldrin, endrin aldehyde, and endosulfan-II were significantly higher in newborns than in mothers (p ˂0.05). Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed for As and F− concentrations between mother – newborn pairs. Differences were observed in ∑Dienes and ∑DDTs comparing newborns with normal and low birth weights and a positive relationship in ƩDienes, ƩChlordanes, and ƩDDTs between mother and newborn pairs (p ˂ 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of extensive research regarding the influence of pollution.