The Role of Social Class in Human Pesticide Pollution1

Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Exposures to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) among Pregnant African-American Women

“…*p Ͻ 0.05. levels were highest among professional and white-collar workers. 2,5 Although our findings of a positive association between income and PCB concentrations did not support our hypothesis, the results of previous studies have documented an increase in serum PCB concentrations as family income increases. It has been suggested that highincome families in the 1960s were more likely to have consumed contaminated fish.…”

“…12,20 With respect to DDE, the results of some studies have suggested that there is a racial difference in DDE levels, with the highest levels being among African Americans. 5,6 However, in one study, such a racial difference was explained by social class. 5 In addition, similar to the aforementioned PCB concentrations, DDE findings persisted even after we adjusted for maternal age and prepregnancy weight.…”

“…5,6 However, in one study, such a racial difference was explained by social class. 5 In addition, similar to the aforementioned PCB concentrations, DDE findings persisted even after we adjusted for maternal age and prepregnancy weight. We repeated the analyses and included postpregnancy weight and pre-or postpregnancy BMI instead of prepregnancy weight, and the results were nearly identical to the ones presented in Table 3.…”

“…Typically, African Americans have had higher DDE levels than whites, but this racial difference has been mediated by social class. 2,5,6 Despite the relationship between socioeconomic levels and the described exposures, in no study have authors focused on the association between socioeconomic indicators and exposure to PCBs and DDEs in pregnant women. Therefore, in the current study, we considered the associations between socioeconomic indicators and exposure to PCBs and DDEs in inner-city African-American pregnant women.…”

“…[4][5][6] Prenatal exposure to PCBs has been associated with adverse health effects, including low birth weight, abnormal skin pigmentation, delayed developmental milestones, and decreased scores on Intelligence Quotient tests. [7][8][9][10][11] Results of recent studies also suggest that PCB exposures may affect early childhood behaviors.…”