We determined and compared the levels of BHC and DDT isomers and metabolites and HCB in the adipose tissue of 82 cases of autopsies performed at the Morgue Department of Adana Branch of the Council of Forensic Medicine. The relationships between the age, gender, and body mass indexes of cases, and the accumulation of OCs residues were also investigated. Detectable concentrations of p,p'-DDE were found in 100% of adipose tissue samples. Concentrations of OCs in female adipose tissues were significantly higher than male adipose tissues (p < 0.05). The presented work is highly significant, being the first study pointing out the chronic exposure to organochlorine pesticides in Cukurova region.

No abstract

In Cukurova region, pesticide poisonings still remain an unfortunate cause of death, which led to the present study. The autopsy records of Adana Branch of the Council of Forensic Medicine, between 2006 and 2008, were evaluated retrospectively. Deaths that were attributed to pesticide poisoning were included in the scope of the study to identify the type of pesticide, and etiology of intoxication. The frequency and distribution of intoxications were also analyzed in terms of sex and age. In the studied period, a total of 4199 autopsies were referred to the forensic toxicology laboratory for pesticide analysis. Seventy-two cases were positive for pesticide analysis. Of these, 42 (58.33%) were male and 30 (41.67%) were female, with a mean age of 38.8 ± 20.6 years. Among the inspected pesticides, endosulfan was found to be the most common with 47.2% of prevalence, followed by dichlorvos. This report showed that certain pesticides, endosulfan in particular, remains as common cause of poisonings in Cukurova region.

No abstract

Although pesticides levels in human milk did not exceed the ADIs, we suggest monitoring pesticides in human breast milk especially for newborn health.