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BACKGROUND: The organochlorine dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a known estrogen mimic and endocrine disruptor, has been linked to animal and human disorders. However, the detailed mechanism(s) by which DDT aFFects cellular physiology [...]

BACKGROUND: An equivocal literature exists regarding the relation between persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) and endometriosis in women, with differences attributed to methodologies. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the association between POPs and [...]

BACKGROUND: Exposure to organochlorine compounds (OCs) can alter thyroid function in humans, and hypothyroidism during early life can adversely affect a child's neurodevelopment. OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to [...]

This study aimed to investigate the organochlorine pesticide residues in fish sold in markets and fishing sites in Abidjan, Cote d'lvoire. Pesticides are not only used in agriculture but also in public health for the prevention of malaria. However, pesticide residues may be found in foodstuffs. Contamination of foods by pesticides can give rise to carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects. Pesticides are also accountable for toxic effects on the nervous, immune, reproductive, renal, hepatic and hematopoietic systems. For the present study, one hundred fish specimens representing five fish species collected from markets and fishing sites were analyzed. Analyses were performed with the help of a Gas Chromatograph (GC), brand Agilent Instruments 6890N equipped with two micro-electrons capture detectors (µECD), two Zebron capillary columns (ZB-5MS and ZB-1701P; 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 µm), an automatic injector and monitored by a microcomputer equipped with the ChemStation plus software version 2002. The injection was done in Splitless mode and Nitrogen N50 was used as vector gas. Of the 16 organochlorine pesticides considered in this study, 11 were present in the samples analyzed, at various concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 14.4 µg.[kg.sup.-1] of fresh product. Samples were mostly contaminated by Dichloro Diphenyl Dichloroethane (DDD). The catfish, with a total average concentration (27.2 µ g.[kg.sup.-1] of fresh product) was the most contaminated species. Heads (27.8 µg.[kg.sup.-1] of fresh product) and viscera (17.5 µg.[kg.sup.-1] of fresh product) were, respectively the most contaminated parts of the fish species analyzed. The fishing port of Vridi was the most contaminated site. The species collected on this site presented a total average concentration of 24.4 µg.[kg.sup.-1] of fresh product. The comparison of total concentration mean of organochlorine pesticides in species collected, with the maximum residue limits (MRL) set for the fishery products, sµggests that health risks faced by populations in Abidjan through fish consumption are currently low. Key words: Organochlorine pesticides, GC, Fish, Consumption, INTRODUCTION Pesticides are products used for the protection of plants, the fight against pests and the preservation of foodstuffs during storage. Residues deriving from their use may be found in [...]

Organochlorines, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (p,p'-DDE), the major degradation product of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), though banned in the U.S. in the 1970s, are highly persistent in the [...], BACKGROUND: Previous literature suggests an association between organochlorines and behavioral measures in childhood, including inattention. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess whether prenatal organochlorine exposure is associated with measures of attention in early infancy. METHODS: We investigated an association between cord serum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) levels and measures of attention from the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) in a cohort of 788 infants born 1993-1998 to mothers residing near a PCB-contaminated harbor and Superfund site in New Bedford, Massachusetts. RESULTS: Medians (ranges) for the sum of four prevalent PCB congeners and DDE levels were 0.19 (0.01-4.41) and 0.30 (0-10.29) ng/g serum, respectively. For the 542 subjects with an NBAS exam at 2 weeks, we observed consistent inverse associations between cord serum PCB and DDE levels and NBAS measures of alertness, quality of alert responsiveness, cost of attention, and other potential attention-associated measures including self-quieting and motor maturity. For example, the decrement in quality of alert responsiveness score was -0.51 (95% confidence interval, -0.99 to -0.03) for the highest quartile of exposure to the sum of four prevalent PCB congeners compared with the lowest quartile. We found little evidence for an association with infant orientation, habituation, and regulation of state, assessed as summary cluster measures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence for an association between low-level prenatal PCB and DDE exposures and poor attention in early infancy. Further analyses will focus on whether organochlorine-associated decrements in attention and attention-related skills in infancy persist in later childhood. KEY WORDS: behavior, infant, organochlorines, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Environ Health Perspect 116:666-673 (2008). doi:10.1289/ehp.10553 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 24 January 2008]

The impact of the individual fish variability and fisheries management on the extent of the human dietary intake of organochlorines from the Northern Baltic herring was studied. The analysis suggests that regulating the consumption of herring is more effective in the risk management of such organochlorines, as compared to the regulation of fishing.

In 1992 we collected 22 failed California Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus) eggs from four tidal marshes of south San Francisco Bay for organochlorine analysis and determination of eggshell thickness. Mean eggshell thickness of these eggs (262 microns) was not statistically distinguishable from that of pre-1932 museum eggs (271 microns). Total PCB concentrations in eggs ranged from 0.65 to 5.01 [micro]g [g.sup.-1] on an adjusted fresh wet weight basis, with a geometric mean concentration of 1.30 [micro]g [g.sup.-l]. DDE concentrations were extremely low at a geometric mean of 0.11 [micro]g [g.sup.-1]. Geometric mean concentrations of all other organochlorines detected were below 0.10 [micro] g [g.sup.-l]. The concentrations of all organochlorines except PCBs appear to have declined in California Clapper Rails since the mid 1980s. PCBs may still be high enough in some rail eggs to produce embryotoxic effects but additional work to quantify the more toxic PCB congeners in rail eggs is needed. Key words: California Clapper Rail, eggs, organochlorines, San Francisco Bay.

The contamination of breast milk with organochlorines is examined, focusing on the extent of contamination amongst women in the Ukraine. Research suggests that exposure to pesticides has increased the incidence of breast milk contamination.

The amount of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in breast milk is examined, focusing on how TCDD has contaminated breast milk and animal-derived foodstuffs. Research suggests that cotton defoliants used in foodstuff manufacturing are contaminated with TCDD, thereby contaminating animal-derived food.

Introduction Reduced birth weight is associated with increased short- and long-term morbidities and mortality (McIntire et al. 1999; Risnes et al. 2011). This is in line with the developmental origins [...], BACKGROUND: Some legacy and emerging environmental contaminants are suspected risk factors for intrauterine growth restriction. However, the evidence is equivocal, in part due to difficulties in disentangling the effects of mixtures. OBJECTIVES: We assessed associations between multiple correlated biomarkers of environmental exposure and birth weight. METHODS: We evaluated a cohort of 1,250 term (> 37 weeks gestation) singleton infants, born to 513 mothers from Greenland, 180 from Poland, and 557 from Ukraine, who were recruited during antenatal care visits in 2002-2004. Secondary metabolites of diethylhexyl and diisononyl phthalates (DEHP, DiNP), eight perfluoroalkyl acids, and organochlorines (PCB-153 and p,p'-DDE) were quantifiable in 72-100% of maternal serum samples. We assessed associations between exposures and term birth weight, adjusting for co-exposures and covariates, including prepregnancy body mass index. To identify independent associations, we applied the elastic net penalty to linear regression models. RESULTS: Two phthalate metabolites (MEHHP, MOiNP), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and pyp'-DDE were most consistently predictive of term birth weight based on elastic net penalty regression. In an adjusted, unpenalized regression model of the four exposures, 2-SD increases in natural log-transformed MEHHP, PFOA, and p,p'-DDE were associated with lower birth weight: -87 g (95% CI: -137, -340 per 1.70 ng/mL), -43 g (95% CI: -108, 23 per 1.18 ng/mL), and -135 g (95% CI: -192, -78 per 1.82 ng/g lipid), respectively; and MOiNP was associated with higher birth weight (46 g; 95% CI: -5, 97 per 2.22 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that several of the environmental contaminants, belonging to three chemical classes, may be independently associated with impaired fetal growth. These results warrant follow-up in other cohorts. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408933

Introduction Fetal growth is an important indicator of child health because its impairment may be associated with poor neurodevelopment (Richards et al. 2002) and with chronic diseases in adulthood (Barker [...], BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported decreases in birth size associated with exposure to organochlorine compounds (OCs), but uncertainties remain regarding the critical windows of prenatal exposure and the effects on fetal body segments. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between prenatal OC concentrations and fetal anthropometry. METHODS: We measured 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (138, 153, and 180) in 2,369 maternal and 1,140 cord serum samples in four Spanish cohorts (2003-2008). We used linear mixed models to obtain longitudinal growth curves for estimated fetal weight (EFW), abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), and femur length (FL) adjusted by parental and fetal characteristics. We calculated standard deviation (SD) scores of growth at 0-12, 12-20, and 20-34 weeks of gestation as well as size at gestational week 34 for the four parameters. We studied the association between OCs and the fetal outcomes by cohort-specific linear models and subsequent meta-analyses. RESULTS: PCBs were associated with a reduction in AC up to mid-pregnancy, and BPD and FL from gestational week 20 onward. An inverse association was also found between HCB and AC growth in early pregnancy. The reduction of these parameters ranged from -4% to -2% for a doubling in the OC concentrations. No association between 4,4'-DDE and fetal growth was observed. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to report an association between prenatal exposure to some PCBs and HCB and fetal growth: AC during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, and BPD and FL later in pregnancy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408907

Organochlorine residues can make birds unfit for human consumption. The high level of consumption of goldeneyes demand that a study of organochlorine contamination of the species be conducted. Analysis of breast muscles of goldeneyes revealed low concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl and dichlorodinphenyldichloroethylene although there were high levels found in fat. It is suggested that fat be removed from goldeneyes before eating to reduce health risks associated with organochlorine residues.

Aerosolized Nanomaterials in Environmental Studies Many laboratories are conducting research on engineered carbonaceous nanomaterials (CNMs) in environmentally relevant systems, but laboratory exposures during procedures used in this research have not [...]

Introduction Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (βHCH), and 1,1,1,-trichloro-2,2,bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) were used as insecticides and fungicides for decades until the 1980s (Barber et al. 2005; Jaga and [...], BACKGROUND: Few human studies have evaluated the impact of childhood exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCP) on pubertal development. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated associations of serum OCP concentrations [hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (βHCH), and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE)] with age at attainment of sexual maturity among boys. METHODS: From 2003 through 2005, 350 8- to 9-year-old boys from Chapaevsk, Russia, with measured OCPs were enrolled and followed annually for 8 years. We used multivariable interval-censored models to evaluate associations of OCPs (quartiles) with three physician-assessed measures of sexual maturity: Tanner stage 5 for genitalia growth, Tanner stage 5 for pubic hair growth, or testicular volume (TV) ≥ 20 mL in either testis. RESULTS: In adjusted models, boys with higher HCB concentrations achieved sexual maturity reflected by TV ≥ 20 mL a mean of 3.1 months (95% CI: -1.7, 7.8), 5.3 months (95% CI: 0.6, 10.1), and 5.0 months (95% CI: 0.2, 9.8) later for quartiles Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively, compared with Q1 (p trend = 0.04). Tanner stage 5 for genitalia growth was attained a mean of 2.2 months (95% CI: -3.1, 7.5), 5.7 months (95% CI: 0.4, 11.0), and 3.7 months (95% CI: -1.7, 9.1) later for quartiles Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively, of βHCH compared with Q1 (p trend = 0.09). Tanner stage 5 for pubic hair growth occurred 6-9 months later on average for boys in the highest versus lowest quartile for HCB (p trend < 0.001), βHCH (trend p = 0.01), and p,p'-DDE (p trend = 0.04). No associations were observed between p,p'-DDE and Tanner stage 5 for genitalia growth or TV ≥ 20 mL. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Higher prepubertal serum HCB and βHCH concentrations were associated with a later age at attainment of sexual maturity. Only the highest quartile of serum p,p'-DDE was associated with later pubic hair maturation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409022

Lindane is an organochlorine compound that was introduced as an insecticide in l942. Due to its long duration of biological activity, wood treated with Lindane remains ''pest free'' for many years. This compound, also known as gamma-benzene hexachloride, is used to treat scabies and pediculosis (contagious skin diseases caused by mites and lice, respectively). Lindane can be absorbed through the skin, and is predominantly stored in fatty tissue. Case histories are presented of three patients with aplastic anemia who had substantial prior exposure to organochlorine compounds. Aplastic anemia is a serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce adequate numbers of blood cells; affected patients generally do not respond to usual treatments for anemia. One case, a 12-year-old boy, was exposed to organochlorine during pest control efforts in his own home; the second, a 28-year-old male, used a derivative product to treat woodwork during a renovation; and the third, a 26-year-old male, was occupationally exposed. The temporal association between chemical exposure and the development of aplastic anemia supported the determination of chemical toxicity in these three cases. Lindane and pentachlorophenol were each extracted from fatty tissue of one patient. The mechanism of organochlorine toxicity on hematopoiesis (blood cell production) is discussed; organochlorine compounds or their metabolites may produce an autoimmune reaction that causes continuing bone marrow damage and, thus, aplastic anemia. More intensive record keeping of similar exposures and injuries is necessary to identify and confirm the hazard potential of these insecticides. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Introduction Endometriosis, characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterus, is associated with substantial morbidity, including severe, chronic pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility [...], BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is considered an estrogen-dependent disease. Persistent environmental chemicals that exhibit hormonal properties, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), may affect endometriosis risk. OBJECTIVE: We investigated endometriosis risk in relation to environmental exposure to OCPs. METHODS: We conducted the present analyses using data from the Women&apos;s Risk of Endometriosis (WREN) study, a population-based case--control study of endometriosis conducted among 18- to 49-year-old female enrollees of a large health care system in western Washington State. OCP concentrations were measured in sera from surgically confirmed endometriosis cases (n = 248) first diagnosed between 1996 and 2001 and from population-based controls (n = 538). We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, reference date year, serum lipids, education, race/ethnicity, smoking, and alcohol intake. RESULTS: Our data suggested increased endometriosis risk associated with serum concentrations of [beta]-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (third vs. lowest quartile: OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0, 2.8; highest vs. lowest quartile OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 0.8, 2.4) and mirex (highest vs. lowest category: OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0, 2.2). The association between serum [beta]-HCH concentrations and endometriosis was stronger in analyses restricting cases to those with ovarian endometriosis (third vs. lowest quartile: OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.5, 5.2; highest vs. lowest quartile: OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1, 5.3). CONCLUSIONS: In our case--control study of women enrolled in a large health care system in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, serum concentrations of [beta]-HCH and mirex were positively associated with endometriosis. Extensive past use of environmentally persistent OCPs in the United States or present use in other countries may affect the health of reproductive-age women. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1306648

Introduction Childhood obesity is of public health concern worldwide (Lobstein et al. 2004). In the United States, the prevalence of obesity among children 6-11 years of age increased from 4% [...], BACKGROUND: In some previous studies, prenatal exposure to persistent organochlorines such as 1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) has been associated with higher body mass index (BMI) in children. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the association of maternal serum levels of β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), p,p'-DDE, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, HCB, r/Z/zs-nonachlor, oxychlordane, and PCBs with offspring obesity during childhood. METHODS: The analysis was based on a subsample of 1,915 children followed until 7 years of age as part of the U.S. Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP). The CPP enrolled pregnant women in 1959-1965; exposure levels were measured in third-trimester maternal serum that was collected before these organochlorines were banned in the United States. Childhood overweight and obesity were defined using age- and sex-specific cut points for BMI as recommended by the International Obesity Task Force. RESULTS: Adjusted results did not show clear evidence for an association between organochlorine exposure and obesity; however, a suggestive finding emerged for dieldrin. Compared with those in the lowest quintile (dieldrin, < 0.57 µg/L), odds of obesity were 3.6 (95% CI: 1.3, 10.5) for the fourth and 2.3 (95% CI: 0.8, 7.1) for the highest quintile. Overweight and BMI were unrelated to organochlorine exposure. CONCLUSIONS: In this population with relatively high levels of exposure to organochlorines, no clear associations with obesity or BMI emerged. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205901

Organochlorine compounds have become widely distributed in our environment, following their introduction as pesticides during World War II. In general, they are very resistant to metabolic breakdown, and they tend [...], Organochlorine pesticide residues were determined for adipose tissue samples of 25 persons from El Paso, Texas, during the fall of 1983 and spring of 1984. DDT occurred in 72 percent of the samples with a mean value of 1.50 ppm, while the DDT breakdown product, DDE, occurred in 100 percent of the samples with a higher mean level of 4.96 ppm. This indicates primarily past widespread exposure for DDT, or possibly current food and water sources from areas of past DDT application. Lindane occurred in 96 percent of the samples, with a mean value of 0.20 ppm, and no breakdown products were detected. This indicates widespread, more recent exposure for lindane, from a dispensed source such as water or food. Heptachlor and its breakdown product, heptachlor epoxide, occurred in 44 percent and 12 percent of the samples, with mean value of 0.12 ppm and 0.01 ppm respectively. This indicates more recent, possibly area-related exposure for heptachlor.

Persistent organochlorine pollutant (POP) levels were assessed in serum collected from children working and sometimes also living at the waste disposal site and the influence of dietary exposure was evaluated by assessing POP levels in serum from young women, who were high consumers of fish from Lake Managua, Nicaragua. Data suggest an occupational and environmental exposure to POPs in children at the waste-disposal site and that consumption of fish from Lake Managua may also influence the levels of some POPs.

Organochlorine compounds, particularly PCBs, are known to alter serum thyroid hormone (TH) levels. The ability of these compounds to interact with human thyroid receptor is unknown. Using a baculovirus expression system in insect cells (Sf9 cells), we produced recombinant human thyroid receptor [Beta] (hTR[Beta]). Recombinant hTR[Beta] had the expected relative affinity for THs and their analogs. In competitive inhibition experiments with PCBs, hydroxylated PCBs (OHPCBs), DDTs, and chloroacetanilide herbicides, only the OH-PCBs competed for binding. The affinity of hTR[Beta] for OH-PCBs was 10,000-fold lower (Ki = 20-50 [micro]M) than its affinity for TH (T3, Ki = 10 nM). Because of their relatively low affinity for the receptor, we examined the interaction of OH-PCBs with the serum transport proteins Wansthyretin (TTR) and thyroid binding globulin (TBG). Most of the OH-PCBs had the same affinity (Ki = 10-80 nM) for TTR as did T4. Only two of the OH-PCBs bound TBG (Ki = 3-7 pM), but with a 100-fold lower affinity than T4. Based on these results, OH-PCBs are more likely to disrupt thyroid homeostasis by competing for binding to serum transport proteins rather than by acting as TH agonists or antagonists at the receptor.

Exposure to organochlorine (OC) compounds can alter thyroid function in humans, and hypothyroidism during early life can adversely affect neurodevelopment in children. Julvez et al. (p. 1429) studied the relationship [...]

The use of breast milk monitoring programs (BMMP) may be an effective way to monitor infants' intake of polychlorinated persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The composition of breast milk, the hazardous effects of POPs, and the health function of BMMPs are discussed.

From the mid-1940s on, a group of synthetic chemicals known as organochlorines (OCs) were used in industry and as pesticides. Because of evidence of human and environmental risks from exposure [...]

Japanese researches say that the public's fears about the likely effects of so-called 'endocrine disrupters' are founded on media hype. They argue that reports suggesting that some synthetic compounds may disrupt human reproductive functions should be viewed objectively. Japan is allocating more than 18 billion yen to research endocrine disrupters, which are unregulated in Japan and which include chemicals such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls.