Estimation of human body concentrations of DDT from indoor residual spraying for malaria control

Abstract

Blood and breast milk samples from inhabitants living in dwellings treated with DDT in indoor residual spraying show high DDT levels. This is of concern since mothers transfer lipid-soluble contaminants such as DDT via breastfeeding to their children. We focused on DDT use in South Africa and used a pharmacokinetic model to identify the dominant DDT uptake routes (food vs. inhalation), to estimate DDT levels in human lipid tissue over the full lifetime of an individual, and to determine the amount of DDT transferred to children during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In particular, the effects of breastfeeding duration, parity, and the mother's age on the DDT concentrations of mother and infant were estimated. The model results suggest that primiparous mothers have greater DDT concentrations than multiparous mothers which lead to higher DDT exposure for their first-born children. Furthermore, DDT in the body mainly originates from diet (92-95%). Our modeled DDT levels reproduce the levels found in South African biomonitoring data within a factor of five or less.

Inverse correlation among organochlorine pesticide levels to total lipid serum contents: a preliminary study in Veracruz, México

“…Therefore, biological activity of organochlorine pesticides in the human body can be related to its molecular structure and physical-chemical properties. Our results are in concordance with that of Malarvannan et al (2013), Dirtu et al (2013), andHerrero-Mercado et al (2011), indicating a potential steady redistribution of these pesticides among body compartments and low metabolic rate (Kim et al 2011;Gyalpo et al 2012). Recently, De Roos et al (2012) showed that indicators of greater adiposity (such as weight, body mass index, fat mass percent, subcutaneous abdominal fat, intra-abdominal fat, waist circumference, and hip circumference) were related to lower plasma concentrations of most organochlorine pesticides.…”

Predictors of Plasma DDT and DDE Concentrations among Women Exposed to Indoor Residual Spraying for Malaria Control in the South African Study of Women and Babies (SOWB)

“…Despite evidence of potential harmful human health effects of DDT exposure, there remains a gap in knowledge regarding determinants and strategies for reduction of exposure, particularly among nonoccupationally exposed individuals (i.e., residents of IRS-treated homes). Few studies have examined determinants of body burden among this population, and those that have suggest that inhalation and food consumption are relevant routes of exposure (Gyalpo et al 2012; Ritter et al 2011). Although the majority of South Africa is considered a low-risk malaria area, malaria continues to be endemic in the Limpopo Province and IRS remains a mainstay of vector control (Moonasar et al 2012).…”

A Systematic Review of Studies on Genotoxicity and Related Biomarkers in Populations Exposed to Pesticides in Mexico

“…In Mexico, as biomarkers of exposure, pesticide residues, especially organochlorine (OCP) and among the most important in the past dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane or DDT, have been found in the human abdominal and breast adipose tissue, human semen, blood serum, umbilical blood, serum, and breast milk, among inhabitants living in protected tropical areas [81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92]. These pesticides were also important, as they protected human and life stock from malaria.…”