Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene Concentrations Research Articles

Association between prenatal exposure to indoor residual spraying insecticides and infection rates among South African children participating in the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE)

In 2021, 53 countries conducted indoor residual spraying (IRS), the application of insecticides such as dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) or pyrethroids to the walls of homes to control malaria. Animal studies show that these insecticides can increase susceptibility to infections but only one human study was conducted in a population from an area where IRS is applied. The aim of the present study was thus to investigate whether maternal exposure to DDT, its breakdown product dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) or pyrethroid insecticides is associated with symptoms of infection among children living in a region of South Africa were IRS is conducted annually. As part of the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE) we measured maternal serum concentrations of DDT and DDE, and urinary concentrations of four pyrethroid metabolites in peripartum samples. Poisson regression models with robust variance estimates were used to investigate associations with the rates of infection symptoms between ages 3.5–5 years among 629 children as assessed based on caregiver interviews. Multiple pyrethroid metabolites were associated with infection symptoms. For instance, cis-DBCA was associated with increased rates of ear infection (Incidence Rate Ratio for a 10-fold increase (IRR10) = 1.4; 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.0, 2.1) and persistent diarrhea (IRR10 = 2.1; 95 % CI = 1.2, 3.9), trans-DCCA was associated with increased rates of colds in children (IRR10 = 1.3; 95 % CI = 1.0, 1.6) and persistent fever (IRS10 = 1.4; 95 % CI = 1.0, 2.0), and 3-PBA was associated with increased rates of persistent fever (IRR10 = 1.8; 95 % CI = 1.0, 3.0). We found limited evidence of association between maternal DDE and DDT serum concentrations and infection symptoms. Results suggest that prenatal exposure to pyrethroid insecticides may be associated with infections among children from an area where IRS is conducted.

Association between persistent organic pollutants in human milk and the infant growth and development throughout the first year postpartum in a cohort from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are compounds that are recalcitrant and ubiquitous that bioaccumulate in human milk (HM) and can impact infant growth and development. We explore the association between POP concentration in HM at 2-50 days postpartum and infant growth and development trajectory throughout the first year of life. A cohort of 68 healthy adult Brazilian women and their infants were followed from 28 to 35 gestational weeks to 12 months postpartum. HM samples were collected between 2 and 50 days postpartum, and POP concentrations were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Concentrations of POPs >limit of quantification (LOQ) were defined as presence, and concentrations ≤LOQ as an absence. Growth z-scores were analyzed according to WHO growth charts and infant development scores according to Age & Stages Questionnaires at 1 (n = 66), 6 (n = 50), and 12 months (n = 45). Linear mixed effects (LME) models were used to investigate the association of POPs in HM with infant growth and development. Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) correction for multiple testing was performed to reduce the false discovery ratio. P < 0.1 was considered for models with the interaction between POPs and time/sex. After BH correction, adjusted LME models with time interaction showed (1) a positive association between the presence of β hexachlorocyclohexane and an increase in head circumference-for-age z-score (β = 0.003, P = 0.095); (2) negative associations between total POPs (β = -0.000002, P = 0.10), total organochlorine pesticides (β = -0.000002, P = 0.10), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations in HM (β = -0.000002, P = 0.10) and fine motor scores. No statistical difference between the sexes was observed. Postnatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides in HM shows a positive association with the trajectory of head circumference-for-age z-score and a negative association with the trajectories of fine motor skills scores. Future studies on POP variation in HM at different postpartum times and their effect on infant growth and development should be encouraged.

Using Plasma Vitellogenin in Loggerhead Sea Turtles to Assess Reproductive Maturation and Estrogen-Like Contaminant Exposure.

Vitellogenin (VTG), an egg yolk precursor, is abnormally produced by male and juvenile oviparous species after exposure to estrogens. Plasma VTG in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) helped us understand their reproductive maturation and investigate it as a biomarker of contaminant exposure. The presence of VTG was screened in plasma from 404 loggerheads from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean using a freshwater turtle antibody in western blots. The concentrations of VTG were semiquantified using band intensities calibrated to results from a loggerhead antibody enzyme-linked immunoassay. The detection and concentrations of VTG were in (from highest to lowest): nesting females, in-water adult females, subadult females, smaller females, unknown sex, and males. Loggerheads from this region begin vitellogenesis at ≅77 cm straight carapace length. We classified VTG expression as abnormal in nine male or juvenile turtles. Organochlorine contaminant (OC) concentrations were measured in blood and/or fat biopsies of some turtles. One abnormal VTG female had the second highest fat polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations compared among 43 VTG-negative juveniles. The nine VTG-abnormal turtles had average blood PCB concentrations 8.5% higher, but not significantly different, than 46 VTG-negative juveniles (p = 0.453). In turtles less than 77 cm, blood PCB concentrations were significantly, but weakly, correlated with semiquantified VTG concentrations (tau = 0.1, p = 0.004). Greater blood OC concentrations were found in adult females than in males, which motivated the creation of a conceptual model of OC, VTG, and hormone concentrations across a reproductive cycle. A decision tree is also provided incorporating VTG as a sexing tool. Abnormal VTG expression cannot conclusively be linked to endocrine disruption caused by these OC concentrations. Studies should further investigate causes of abnormal VTG expression in wild sea turtles. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1309-1325. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Prenatal exposure to multiple organochlorine compounds and childhood body mass index.

Background:Prenatal exposure to organochlorine compounds (OCs) has been associated with increased childhood body mass index (BMI); however, only a few studies have focused on longitudinal BMI trajectories, and none of them used multiple exposure mixture approaches.Aim:To determine the association between in-utero exposure to eight OCs and childhood BMI measures (BMI and BMI z-score) at 4 years and their yearly change across 4–12 years of age in 279 Rhea child-mother dyads.Methods:We applied three approaches: (1) linear mixed-effect regressions (LMR) to associate individual compounds with BMI measures; (2) Bayesian weighted quantile sum regressions (BWQSR) to provide an overall OC mixture association with BMI measures; and (3)Bayesian varying coefficient kernel machine regressions (BVCKMR) to model nonlinear and nonadditive associations.Results:In the LMR, yearly change of BMI measures was consistently associated with a quartile increase in hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (estimate [95% Confidence or Credible interval] BMI: 0.10 [0.06, 0.14]; BMI z-score: 0.02 [0.01, 0.04]). BWQSR results showed that a quartile increase in mixture concentrations was associated with yearly increase of BMI measures (BMI: 0.10 [0.01, 0.18]; BMI z-score: 0.03 [0.003, 0.06]). In the BVCKMR, a quartile increase in dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations was associated with higher BMI measures at 4 years (BMI: 0.33 [0.24, 0.43]; BMI z-score: 0.19 [0.15, 0.24]); whereas a quartile increase in HCB and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)-118 levels was positively associated with BMI measures yearly change (BMI: HCB:0.10 [0.07, 0.13], PCB-118:0.08 [0.04, 012]; BMI z-score: HCB:0.03 [0.02, 0.05], PCB-118:0.02 [0.002,04]). BVCKMR suggested that PCBs had nonlinear relationships with BMI measures, and HCB interacted with other compounds.Conclusions:All analyses consistently demonstrated detrimental associations between prenatal OC exposures and childhood BMI measures.

Associations between prenatal exposure to DDT and DDE and allergy symptoms and diagnoses in the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE), South Africa

Dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) is an organochlorine insecticide that is banned internationally except for use as part of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) programs to control malaria. Although animal studies show that DDT and its breakdown product dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) affect the immune system and may cause allergies, no studies have examined this question in populations where IRS is conducted. The aim of our study was to investigate whether prenatal exposure to DDT and DDE is associated with allergy symptoms and diagnose among South African children living in an area where IRS is conducted. To accomplish this aim, we used data from the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE), an ongoing birth cohort study of 752 children born between 2012 and 2013 in the rural Vhembe district of Limpopo, South Africa. We measured maternal peripartum serum concentrations of DDT and DDE, and administered a questionnaire to the caregivers of 658 children aged 3.5 years to collect information on allergy symptoms and diagnoses as well as potential confounders using validated instruments. Using multiple logistic regression models, we found positive associations between DDT and DDE serum concentrations and most of the allergy symptoms and diagnoses. Maternal DDT (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.5 per 10-fold increase, 95% Confidence interval, CI = 1.0, 2.3) and DDE (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.8, 2.4) serum concentrations were most strongly associated with caregiver report of wheezing or whistling in the chest. Concentrations of DDT and/or DDE were also associated with increased odds of children's chests sounding wheezy during or after exercise, itchy rashes coming and going for at least six months, diagnosis of food allergy, and diagnosis of dust or dust mites allergy but confidence intervals crossed the null. Results suggest that prenatal exposure to DDT, and possibly DDE, is associated with elevated odds of wheezing among children from an IRS area.

Detection of Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in Nile Fish and Its Risks in Qena City

Fifteen organochlorine pesticides (OCP) residues were determined in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Long fin catfish (Chrysichthys auratus) in Qena city, Egypt by gas mass chromatography. Nile tilapia fish significantly (P < 0.05) had the highest concentrations of Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), endrin, methoxychlor, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) and endosulfan sulfate with mean±SD concentration of 6.27±0.68, 25.02±0.01, 6.98±1.88, 33.35±1.76 and 47.82±12.51 ppb respectively. Long fin catfish significantly had the highest concentrations of D-chlordane, alpha hexachlorobenzene (a-BHC) and aldrin with mean±SD concentration of 82.27±0.45, 11.89±0.56, 11.73±0.48 ppb respectively. Finally African catfish significantly had the highest concentration of dieldrin with mean concentration 3.53±0.03 ppb and had significant lowest concentration of endrin 1.99±1.39 ppb. OCP residues in all examined raw fish samples were below the maximum permissible limits (MPL) set by Food and Drug Administration. The effect of pan frying on OCP residues showed that the highest reduction rate in OCP in Nile tilapia was 100% for dieldrin and endosulfan sulfate while reduction rate in African catfish was 100% for dieldrin, methoxychlor and endosulfan sulfate. On the other hand the reduction rate in Long fin catfish was 100% for dieldrin, endrin, methoxychlor, heptachlor epoxide and endosulfan sulfate. The lowest reduction rate was detected in DDD, DDE, b-BHC, heptachlor and DDT respectively. Consumption of studied fish had no potential hazard to human health as hazard ratio was below one. Carcinogenic risk (CR) value considered acceptable risk for b-BHC and considered level of concern for heptachlor epoxide, total DDTs, lindane and total heptachlor.

Organic Chemical Concentrations in Eggs and Nestlings of Cavity Nesting Birds at and around Los Alamos National Laboratory

In 1943, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was established as part of the Manhattan project to design atomic weapons. LANL now operates as a multidisciplinary research institution. As part of an ongoing assessment of siterelated ecological risk, organochlorine pesticides, their metabolites, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalents (TEQs) were evaluated in western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) eggs relative to a developed but non-industrial reference area; PCBs and TEQs were also evaluated in nestlings. Chemicals were below detection limits in the majority of samples. Western bluebird eggs collected from the study area had significantly lower concentrations of dieldrin, oxychlordane, and trans-nonachlor when compared with eggs from the reference area. No differences were observed in concentrations of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and heptachlor epoxide. Ash-throated flycatcher eggs contained higher total TEQ concentrations when compared with western bluebird eggs; however, no differences in concentrations of DDE, DDT, dieldrin, or total PCBs were observed. No differences were observed in total PCBs or TEQs in nestlings between the two species. Western bluebird eggs contained higher levels of total PCBs and TEQs when compared with nestlings; no differences were observed in total PCBs or TEQs between ash-throated flycatcher eggs and nestlings. Chemical concentrations detected in eggs of both species were below levels that are associated with adverse effects reported in the scientific literature, suggesting that concentrations of organic chemicals observed here appear to be at levels causing negligible risks to local bird populations.

Current status of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure among mothers and their babies of Korea-CHECK cohort study

Despite the global ban, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been a persistent and significant environmental health issue worldwide. Prenatal exposure to these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been identified as a major route of exposure among developing fetuses and newborn infants. Among Children's Health and Environmental Health of Korea (CHECK) cohort population, pregnant females (n=148) and their matching newborn infants (n=117) recruited from four cities of Korea in 2011 were investigated. The blood serum and cord blood serum were sampled at delivery, and measured for 19 OCPs and 19 PCBs. In addition, a questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, and dietary habits were conducted. The most frequently detected POPs in both maternal blood and cord blood were p,p′-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) (99% detection in maternal, and 98% in cord blood serum) and PCB153 (95% in maternal, 74% in cord blood serum). The levels of dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethanes (DDTs) in both maternal (average 82.5ng/g lw) and cord blood serum (average 77.5ng/g lw) were comparable to or greater than those reported in Japan about a decade ago. Approximately two thirds of the pregnant women and newborn infants showed the p,p′-DDE concentrations exceeding the biological equivalent (BE) corresponding to 10−6 excess cancer risk. In addition, less chlorinated PCBs were detected higher in both maternal and cord serum. Less chlorinated PCBs also showed greater transplacental ratio. Dairy consumption among the subjects was positively associated, and tea consumption was negatively associated with serum levels of several POPs. Our results show that the exposure to legacy POPs, especially DDTs, among pregnant women and newborn infants is still prevailing, thus warrants measures for exposure mitigation among these vulnerable populations.

Secondary sex ratio in relation to exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene and methylmercury

ABSTRACTThis study was undertaken to assess the potential impact of maternal exposures to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) and methylmercury on the secondary sex ratios (the ratio of male to female live births) over a span of 23 years. The study includes prospective data from three Faroese birth cohorts, with a total of 2,152 healthy mother–child dyads recruited between 1986 and 2009. The Faroe Islands is a subarctic fishing community, where pilot whale meat and blubber are part of the traditional marine diet. Exposures were measured in maternal hair, serum or umbilical cord blood. Confounder adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between maternal exposures and the secondary sex ratio. A doubling in ΣPCB, p,p’-DDE and mercury concentrations were associated with increased odds by 8% (95% CI = 0–16%), 7% (95% CI = 0–14%) and 9% (95% CI = 2–17%), respectively, of giving birth to a boy. In conclusion, maternal exposure to ΣPCB, DDE and methylmercury was associated with a slightly increased secondary sex ratio. The impact of paternal exposures could not be taken into account and deserves attention.

Sex specific influence on the relationship between maternal exposures to persistent chemicals and birth outcomes.

Prenatal exposure to persistent pollutants has been associated with adverse birth outcomes, although few studies have investigated the influence of the sex of the infant. Sex specific differences have been associated with neurobehavioural impacts from environmental exposures with limited and contrary findings in relation to persistent pollutants. This study investigated the relationships between maternal exposure to a range of metals, polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides measured in biological samples and birth outcomes with a specific focus on the sex of the infant. Outcome measures used included birth weight, birth length and head circumference, proportion of optimal birth weight (POBW), proportion of optimal birth length, proportion of optimal head circumference (POHC) and ponderal index. In general maternal urinary and blood metals, plasma polychlorinated biphenyl and pesticide concentrations were low. In adjusted regression models, a ln-unit increase in plasma β-hexachlorocyclohexane concentrations was associated with decreased birth weight (-76g, 95% CI -149, -33), ponderal index (-0.048, 95% CI 0.102, 0.007) and proportion of optimal birth weight (-1.5%, 95% CI -3.6, 0.5) in the whole study population, with stronger associations observed for male infants. Maternal p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations were associated with reduced ponderal index in male infants (β=-0.171, 95% CI -0.269, -0.074). A ln-unit increase in plasma hexachlorobenzene concentrations was associated with a 5% increase in POBW in male infants (95% CI 0.67, 9.5). Increased urinary barium was associated with increased birth length and POBL and decreased ponderal index in boys. Conversely, urinary concentrations of caesium and rubidium were found to be associated with decreased foetal growth in female infants. This study supports the growing body of evidence regarding the reductions in foetal growth associated with β-hexachlorocyclohexane and p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene as well as reporting new relationships between metals exposures and birth outcomes. The finding that maternal exposure to barium, strontium, rubidium and caesium was associated with birth outcomes requires confirmation in larger studies. Similarly the apparent differences in susceptibility based on sex of the infant requires further investigation.

Associations of plasma concentrations of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene and polychlorinated biphenyls with prostate cancer: a case-control study in Guadeloupe (French West Indies).

Background:Long-term exposure to persistent pollutants with hormonal properties (endocrine-disrupting chemicals; EDCs) may contribute to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa). However, epidemiological evidence remains limited.Objectives:We investigated the relationship between PCa and plasma concentrations of universally widespread pollutants, in particular p,p´-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) and the non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl congener 153 (PCB-153).Methods:We evaluated 576 men with newly diagnosed PCa (before treatment) and 655 controls in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Exposure was analyzed according to case–control status. Associations were assessed by unconditional logistic regression analysis, controlling for confounding factors. Missing data were handled by multiple imputation.Results:We estimated a significant positive association between DDE and PCa [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.30 for the highest vs. lowest quintile of exposure; ptrend = 0.01]. PCB-153 was inversely associated with PCa (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.47 for the highest vs. lowest quintile of exposure values; ptrend < 0.001). Also, PCB-153 was more strongly associated with low-grade than with high-grade PCa.Conclusions:Associations of PCa with DDE and PCB-153 were in opposite directions. This may reflect differences in the mechanisms of action of these EDCs; and although our findings need to be replicated in other populations, they are consistent with complex effects of EDCs on human health.Citation:Emeville E, Giusti A, Coumoul X, Thomé JP, Blanchet P, Multigner L. 2015. Associations of plasma concentrations of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene and polychlorinated biphenyls with prostate cancer: a case–control study in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Environ Health Perspect 123:317–323; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408407

Population-Based Comparison of Biomarker Concentrations for Chemicals of Concern Among Latino-American and Non-Hispanic White Children

Differences in cultural and economic status may place ethnic subgroups of children at higher risk for exposure, leading to heightened health risks, and health inequities. Although Latino-Americans represent 22% of all children in the United States, few studies have explored within-group differences in their exposure to toxicants. Using socio-demographic and biomarker data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2008, we characterized determinants of health and estimated geometric means of environmental contaminant biomarkers (blood concentrations of lead and mercury, serum concentrations of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [p,p'-DDE] and cotinine, and urinary metabolites of organophosphate [OP] pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]) among 4,257 Mexican American (MA), 677 Other Latino-American (OL), and 3,370 Non-Hispanic White (NHW) children. MAs had the lowest levels of health insurance coverage and regular access to health care, and largest household size compared to NHWs and OLs. MAs had higher levels of p,p'-DDE, lead, and cadmium while OLs had higher estimates of mercury relative to other groups. MAs had higher urinary metabolite concentrations of 2-hydroxynaphthalene; otherwise MAs and OLs had lower concentrations of PAHs. NHWs had higher levels of cotinine and dimethylthiophosphate. For other OP metabolites, differences among groups were less clear. Lead and p,p'-DDE exposure differences likely reflect later and less regulatory control of these chemicals in Latin America. Additionally, poor quality housing with lead paint is more common in economically disadvantaged subpopulations. Dietary habits are possible sources of differential cadmium, mercury, and organophosphate exposure. Cotinine exposure differences by income and U.S.- vs. foreign-born may represent increased acculturation. These results, coupled with additional research on exposure sources may contribute to refinement of environmental health promotion programs for the fast-growing Latino-American population.

DDE and PCB serum concentration in maternal blood and their adult female offspring

Background: Dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be passed from mother to offspring through placental transfer or breast feeding. Aim: To test whether maternal serum levels of DDE and PCB can predict concentrations in adult offspring. Methods: The Michigan Fisheaters’ Study includes mothers and their offspring. DDE and PCB concentrations were determined in 136 adult daughters of Michigan fisheaters. Prenatal exposures were estimated based on the DDE and PCB serum levels of their mothers measured between 1973 and 1991. To investigate the transfer of these chemicals, linear mixed effects models are applied. Adult levels (wet-based and lipid-adjusted) in female offspring are regressed on estimated perinatal or maternal serum concentrations in 1979-1982 or 1989-1991, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: DDE concentrations in offspring after, on average, 40 years are primarily attributable to maternal or perinatal serum levels, age, and birth order. For PCBs, maternal and prenatal levels and fish consumption, in that order, contributed to adult concentrations in female offspring. Conclusion: Maternal exposure to DDE and PCB in the last century seems to have introduced an exposure disadvantage in their adult offspring.

Dredging and contaminant exposure to tree swallows nesting on the upper Mississippi River

In 2008 and 2009, dredge material from the Mississippi River in Pool 8 south of Brownsville, Minnesota was used to construct nearby islands. Chemical analysis of sediment in 2001 and 2002 in the area to be dredged indicated detectable concentrations of organic and inorganic contaminants. Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), whose diet is mainly aquatic invertebrates, were used to evaluate contaminant exposure in both the dredged and newly created habitat. Organic and inorganic contaminant data were collected from tree swallows in 2007 through 2010 at one study site near the dredging operation, a reference study site upriver from the dredging activity, one study site down river from the dredging activity, and one study site on a newly created island (2009 and 2010 only). Organic and element concentrations were at background levels in all samples. Polychlorinated biphenyl and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations in tree swallow nestlings decreased at all study sites over the period 2007 to 2010 including the island study site between 2009 and 2010. Element concentrations in tree swallow livers for the non-island study sites did not show a trend among years in relation to the dredging. Selenium concentrations at the newly created island were higher and cadmium concentrations were lower in 2010 than 2009. Hatching success of eggs in successful nests was not associated with dredging activities.

PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO DDE AND LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS (LRTIS) IN INFANTS: THE INMA PROJECT

Background and Aims: Growing evidence suggests that prenatal exposure to organochlorine compounds (OCs), mainly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE), may increase the risk of respiratory infections in children through suspected immunotoxic mechanisms. Our aim is to examine, in the largest study so far, whether prenatal exposure to DDE increases the risk of LRTI in infants, and to isolate these effects from those of other OCs. Methods: The study is based on a cohort of 2150 mother-child pairs in Spain. Maternal serum concentrations of DDE and other OCs were measured during pregnancy. Parental reports of physician-confirmed diagnosis of LRTIs were obtained when children were 12-14 months old. Analyses were carried out separately for children from Spanish (N=1342) and Latin-American (N=79) mothers because of their different exposure profiles. Results: 35.4% of the children born to Spanish mothers developed at least one LRTI episode during their first 12-14 months of life. DDE exposure (median=116.3 ng/gr lipid) was associated with a higher risk of LRTIs (relative risk (95%CI) for 3rd quartile DDE exposure= 1.32 (1.08, 1.62)), which persisted after adjustment for other OCs (RR (95%CI) for 3rd quartile DDE = 1.38 (1.12, 1.71)). No association was found for other OCs. Stratified analyses showed that findings were homogeneous by study region, maternal smoking, maternal history of asthma and atopy, duration of predominant breastfeeding and maternal diet. Children born to Latin-American mothers, with much higher exposure to DDE (385.0 ng/gr lipid), showed a similar, but not statistically significant, increase in risk of LRTI with DDE exposure. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to DDE is associated with higher risk of LRTIs in infants. Since LRTIs cause substantial morbidity in infancy and are a possible risk factor for subsequent childhood asthma, especial attention should be paid in countries where dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is nowadays used for malaria control.

Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations in umbilical cord of newborns and determinant maternal factors

The aim was to identify exposure levels to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and to assess maternal factors as determinants of the serum dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) concentration in umbilical cord in newborns from the Mexican Pacific coastal area of Oaxaca State. A cross-sectional study was conducted of 86 paired mothers and newborns from the Oaxaca community of Pochutla. Blood and umbilical cord blood samples were collected to determine DDT and DDE by GC. Information concerning possible determinant factors with regard to pesticide concentration was obtained by means of a questionnaire. A positive correlation between maternal and umbilical cord serum DDE concentration was observed (geometric mean of 7.69 microg g(-1) and 7.29, respectively). Multiple analyses showed that significant maternal factors related to umbilical cord serum DDE concentrations were: always having lived in the same community; low to high socioeconomic strata; accumulated breast-feeding time. The determinant factors observed in this study must be considered in future studies for the quantification of organochlorine concentration. In addition, these factors must be taken into account when preventive actions to minimize in utero exposure to these pesticides are carried out.

Questions regarding the basis of the analyses in study of the relationship of maternal concentrations of dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) and initiation and duration of breast feeding: extrapolations of organochlorine levels for estimating exposure levels

Paediatric and Perinatal EpidemiologyVolume 20, Issue 4 p. 360-361 Questions regarding the basis of the analyses in study of the relationship of maternal concentrations of dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) and initiation and duration of breast feeding: extrapolations of organochlorine levels for estimating exposure levels Beth Gladen, Beth Gladen National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USASearch for more papers by this author Beth Gladen, Beth Gladen National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 08 June 2006 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3016.2006.00739.xCitations: 2 Beth Gladen, Mail Drop A3-03, NIEHS, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. E-mail: gladen@niehs.nih.gov Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume20, Issue4July 2006Pages 360-361 RelatedInformation

Reduced Seminal Parameters Associated With Environmental DDT Exposure andp,p′‐DDE Concentrations in Men in Chiapas, Mexico: A Cross‐Sectional Study

In response to mounting concerns about the endocrine-disrupting influence of environmental chemicals on human health, this epidemiological study was initiated to test the hypothesis that nonoccupational exposure to the estrogenic pesticide 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(chlorodiphenyl)ethane (DDT) affects male reproductive parameters. One hundred and sixteen men aged 27 years (SD = 8.2) living in malaria endemic-areas in Chiapas (Mexico), where DDT was sprayed until 2000, participated in a cross-sectional study. Semen analyses were conducted according to World Health Organization methods and a quality control program was followed. DDT exposure was defined as the level of blood plasma p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE), the major metabolite of DDT. The p,p'-DDE concentration adjusted for total lipids was 100 times higher than that reported for nonexposed populations at 45 plus or minus 32 mug/g (mean +/- SD). Crude regression analysis showed that several sperm motion parameters, including the percentage of motile sperm, decreased with higher p,p'-DDE concentrations (beta = -8.38; P = .05 for squared motility), and the percentage of sperm with morphological tail defects increased with higher plasma p,p'-DDE concentration (beta = 0.003; P = .017). Insufficient sperm chromatin condensation was observed in 46.6% of participants, and the most severe category of incomplete DNA condensation was also positively correlated with p,p'-DDE concentration (r = .223; P = .044). Therefore, nonoccupational exposure to DDT, as assessed by plasma p,p'-DDE concentrations, is associated with poorer semen parameters in men, indicating adverse effects on testicular function and/or the regulation of reproductive hormones. Previously, a causal role of environmental toxicants in human male infertility has been lacking because observed effects have been the result of unusually high exposures, either occupationally or as a result of industrial accidents, resulting in unprecedented controversy (reviewed by Cheek & McLachlan, Environmental hormones and the male reproductive system. J Androl. 1998;19:5). This is the first epidemiological study demonstrating effects after nonoccupational exposures to DDT. Based on these findings, the effect of DDT on male reproductive health should not be ignored.

Maternal concentration of dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) and initiation and duration of breast feeding

Dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) has been shown to reduce the duration of breast feeding in two studies. In addition to duration, we examined whether DDE lowers the initiation of breast feeding. Between 1973 and 1991, the Michigan Department of Community Health conducted three surveys to assess polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDE serum concentrations in Michigan anglers. Through telephone interviews with parents, we retrospectively ascertained information on breast feeding. Based on repeated maternal serum measurements between 1973 and 1991, we arrived at the level of exposure at the time of delivery by extrapolating PCB and DDE serum levels. One mother may have contributed more than one child; however, serum concentrations varied between children from the same mother. The maternal DDE and PCB serum concentrations were categorised as follows: 0 to <5 microg/L, 5 to <10 microg/L, >or=10 microg/L. Repeated measurement models and survival analyses were used to determine the relationship between DDE and PCBs and characteristics of breast feeding while controlling for cohort effects, maternal age at delivery, education, and smoking during pregnancy. We focused on 176 pregnancies of 91 mothers who had maternal exposure information and gave birth between 1969 and 1995. Initiation of breast feeding was lowered by 39.5% and duration shortened by 66.4% in children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy. In children of non-smoking mothers, the incidence ratio for breast-feeding initiation was 0.45 [95% CI 0.15, 0.94] and 0.42 [95% CI 0.10, 1.03] when maternal DDE concentrations were 5 to <10 microg/L and >or=10 microg/L respectively, compared with the lowest DDE exposure group. In these offspring (of non-smoking mothers), breast-feeding duration was shorter when DDE concentrations were higher: 13 weeks for >or=10 microg/L DDE, compared with 21.7 weeks for lower DDE. We did not detect any association between PCBs and breast feeding. In the absence of the distorting effects of maternal smoking, DDE exposure may decrease initiation and duration of breast feeding.

Maternal exposure to Great Lakes sport-caught fish and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene, but not polychlorinated biphenyls, is associated with reduced birth weight

Fish consumption may be beneficial for a developing human fetus, but fish may also contain contaminants that could be detrimental. Great Lakes sport-caught fish (GLSCF) are contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE), but the effects of these contaminants on birth outcome are not clear. To distinguish potential contaminant effects, we examined (1) whether the decrease over time in contaminant levels in GLSCF is paralleled by an increase in birth weight of children of GLSCF-consuming mothers and (2) the relation between maternal serum concentrations of these contaminants and birth weight. Mothers (n=511) were interviewed from 1993 to 1995, and maternal serum was collected from 1994 to 1995 (n=143). Potential confounders considered were child gender, maternal age at delivery, maternal prepregnancy body mass index, maternal cigarette and alcohol use during pregnancy, maternal education level, maternal parity, and maternal breastfeeding. Children born during 1970–1977, 1978–1984, and 1985–1993 to mothers who ate more than 116 meals of GLSCF before pregnancy were, on average, 164g lighter, 46g heavier, and 134g heavier, respectively, than children of mothers who ate no GLSCF before pregnancy (P trend=0.05). GLSCF-consuming mothers had higher serum PCB and DDE concentrations, but only increased DDE was associated with lower birth weight. The data suggest that fetal DDE exposure (as indicated by maternal serum DDE concentration) may decrease birth weight and that decreased birth weight effects associated with GLSCF consumption have decreased over time.