Assessment of the levels of hexachlorocyclohexane in blood samples from Mexico

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2012 Jun;88(6):833-7. doi: 10.1007/s00128-012-0626-7. Epub 2012 Apr 10.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) exposure in children living in nine hot spots in four Mexican states. We analyzed HCH (α, β, and γ-isomers) in blood using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. HCH exposure level in 261 children was assessed and approximately 75 % of the children studied had detectable levels of HCH. These levels ranged from 188 to 40,096.7 ng/g lipid. The highest mean levels were found in Lacanja (5,446.9 ng/g lipid), an indigenous community in Chiapas, Mexico. Our data indicate high exposure to HCH in children living in these communities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Environmental Pollutants / blood*
  • Female
  • Hexachlorocyclohexane / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Pesticides / blood*

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Pesticides
  • Hexachlorocyclohexane