Until the 1990's the 1,1,1-trichloro-bis-2,2′-(4chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) was sprayed in the walls of the house in the along the Madeira River basin, Brazilian Amazon, a region well known by its large number of malaria cases. In the 1910, the relate of Oswaldo Cruz about health conditions in Madeira River region describes the presence of malaria in rates ranging until 100% of infected people in some localities. Data available in the literature points to the DDT contamination in fishes captured in Madeira River region. Fish is the major source of dietary protein to this people. DDT tends to accumulate in lipid rich tissues being eliminated by different events, including lactation. Considering the importance of the breast milk to the children feeding, the associated risks of DDT exposure via breast milk intake to children must be assessed. This is the main objective of this work: to analyse the presence of the p,p′-DDT and its metabolites p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDD in 69 human milk samples and to estimate the intake of DDT and its metabolite in terms of total DDT (total DDT = p,p′-DDE + p,p′-DDD+ p,p′-DDT). All sample showed contamination with DDT and its metabolites ranging from 25.4 to 9361.9 ng of total DDT / g of lipid (median=369.6 ng of total DDT / g of lipid) and 8.7 % of the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), in terms of total DDT, was higher than the Acceptable Daily Intake proposed by the WHO.

HM input in the atmosphere was mainly associated with anthropogenic sources such as vehicle exhaust. Elemental analysis detected HM in the inhalable particles, indicating that those HMs may intensify the toxic effects of PM on human health. Our results indicated T. usneoides as an adequate biomonitor of HM in the PM belonging to the inhalable fraction.

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REsUmoHidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos (HPAs) são considerados poluentes orgânicos prioritários em estudos ambientais. Algumas dessas substâncias podem ser consideradas precursoras de ações mutagênicas e tumorais em sistemas biológicos. HPAs são formados exclusivamente por átomos de carbono e hidrogênio e organizados sob a forma de anéis aromáticos fusionados entre si. Essa classe de substâncias tem sua origem na combustão incompleta da matéria orgânica regida principalmente por diferentes fatores físicos, como temperatura e pressão. O transporte de HPAs se dá principalmente através de material particulado fino atmosférico ou por meio aquoso, podendo atingir desta forma regiões distantes de suas origens. HPAs são altamente lipossolúveis e rapidamente absorvidos pelos pulmões, intestinos e pele de homens e animais. Uma vez absorvidos pelas células, os HPAs são metabolicamente ativados e, desta maneira, tornam-se reativos a grupos nuclofílicos presentes em macromoléculas celulares. A formação de adutos de DNA é considerada essencial na carcinogenicidade química desses xenobiontes. Consumidores de alimentos defumados, fumantes, indivíduos em contato com ambiente contaminado (i.e. água e ar), e trabalhadores ocupacionais expostos de forma direta a HPAs podem apresentar elevadas propensões ao desenvolvimento de tumores e câncer. Palavras-chave: HPA, benzo(a)pireno, ecotoxicologia, poluição, carcinogênico. aBsTRaCTECoToXIColoGY asPECTs FRom PolICIClIC aRomaTIC HYDRoCaRBons (PaH). Policiclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are considered priority organic pollutants in environmental researches. Some of these substances can be considered mutagenic and tumors precursors in biologic systems. PAH are formed exclusively by carbon and hydrogen atoms consisting of two or more fused aromatic rings arrangements. PAH are originated from incomplete burning of organic matter leading by different physics factors as temperature and pressure parameters. PAH are transported mainly through fine particles in atmosphere or aquatic environment and can reach distant areas far from its origins. PAH are lipophilic compounds and quickly absorbed by lung, intestine and skin from human and animals. Once absorbed by cells, PAH are metabolic activated and this way becomes reactive to nucleophilic groups of cellular macromolecules. The formation of DNA adducts is considered essential in the chemical carcinogenic of these xenobiotic compounds. The consummers of smoked foods, people that smokes, live in contaminated environment (e.g. water and air), and occupational workers who are exposed in a direct form to PAH present the higher risks of tumors and cancer development.

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