RESUMEN
We review the potential impact of DDT on public health in Mexico. DDT production and consumption patterns in Mexico during the last 20 years are described and compared with those in the United States. In spite of the restrictions on DDT use in antimalaria campaigns in Mexico, use of DDT is still higher than in other Latin American countries. We analyzed information from published studies to determine accumulated levels of this insecticide in blood, adipose tissue, and breast milk samples from Mexican women. Current lipid-adjusted DDE levels from women living in Mexico City are 6.66 ppb in mammary adipose tissue and 0.594 ppm in total breast milk. Finally, the methodological limitations of existing epidemiological studies on DDT exposure and breast cancer are discussed. We conclude that DDT use in Mexico is a public health problem, and suggest two solutions: identification of alternatives for the control of malaria and educational intervention to reduce DDT exposure. We also recommend strengthening epidemiological studies to evaluate the association between accumulated DDT levels in adipose tissue and breast cancer incidence among Mexican women.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias de la Mama/etiología , Carcinógenos/efectos adversos , Carcinógenos/economía , DDT/efectos adversos , DDT/economía , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Insecticidas/efectos adversos , Insecticidas/economía , Salud Pública , Tejido Adiposo/química , Neoplasias de la Mama/prevención & control , Carcinógenos/análisis , DDT/análisis , Femenino , Humanos , Insecticidas/análisis , Malaria/prevención & control , México , Leche Humana/químicaRESUMEN
The three countries that have signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have focused particular interest and concern on the potential impact that this agreement will have on the environmental health, based on the premise that economical development should not detriment neither the environment nor the human health. In this paper, the NAFTA is presented as an opportunity to improve environmental and occupational health in Mexico and assumes that the study of the potential impact of NAFTA could help to find the solutions of the former and actual environmental health problems. From this perspective, the north-border maquila industry is analyzed as a case study for the purpose of identifying and predicting the impact of NAFTA on environmental and the occupational health. Preventive as well as control measurements are suggested. The general characteristics of the U.S.-Mexico border and the maquila industry are presented. The lack of both social investment and urban planning along with population and economical growth are described. An explanation of the impact that these factors have had on the environmental and occupational problems is discussed. Special emphasis is given to the human health problems including that of water, air and soil contamination by industrial toxic residues. Also, some possible health impact of NAFTA are outlined. Finally a sustainable developmental intervention is suggested, based on NAFTA as an opportunity to take advantage of coming structural changes that will improve the environmental health conditions at the northern-border and in the entire country.
Asunto(s)
Comercio , Salud Ambiental , Cooperación Internacional , Salud Laboral , Adulto , Anciano , Canadá , Niño , Economía , Contaminación Ambiental/prevención & control , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Mortalidad Infantil , Recién Nacido , Masculino , México , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/inducido químicamente , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/prevención & control , Factores de Riesgo , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
This paper discusses recent trends concerning the commercialization of pesticides in Mexico and focuses on organophosphates and their potential health risk impact. It points out the existing lack of knowledge on health effects associated to chronic exposure to organophosphate pesticides. A need for both toxicological and epidemiologic studies of chronic exposure is identified. Regulatory programs for pesticides in Mexico and the United States are also compared. The paper also addresses the possibility of effective enforcement of environmental and health regulations in Mexico as a result of more rigorous surveillance under NAFTA.