RESUMO
Although the production and use of some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been banned or highly restricted, human exposure remains a subject of investigation due to their environmental persistence. Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect the disposition of POPs in the mother's body, and thus fetal exposure. Changes in serum concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) across pregnancy trimesters, and trans-placental transfer to the fetus were investigated. Seventy-nine pregnant women in Trujillo, Peru were recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy, and provided blood samples for the analysis of 35 PCB congeners, 9 OCPs, and 11 polybrominated biphenyl diethers (PBDEs). Subsequently, maternal blood samples were collected in the second (n=64) and third trimesters (n=59), and cord blood samples (n=50) were collected at delivery. There were statistically significant changes across trimesters (p<0.05) for both fresh weight (increase) and lipid adjusted concentrations (decrease) of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 2,2-Bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethene (p,p'-DDE), PCB-74, 118, 138-158, 153, 170, 180 and 194. Fresh weight concentrations of these POPs increased from first to third trimester by 10-28%. On the other hand lipid adjusted concentrations decreased from first to third trimester by 16-28%. Serum lipids increased from first to third trimester by 53% indicating the dilution of the POPs in the lipids. Concentrations of 2,2-Bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), its metabolite p,p'-DDE, PCB-118, 138-158, 153, 170 and 180 above their limits of detection were measured in >60% of cord serum samples. Intra-individual correlations in maternal serum concentrations were high for most of the POPs (ρ=0.62-0.99; p<0.05) while correlations between maternal and cord serum concentrations were also high (ρ=0.68-0.99; p<0.05). Results indicate that the disposition in the body and blood concentrations of POPs may change during pregnancy, and show trans-placental transfer of DDT, DDE and PCBs.
Assuntos
Poluentes Ambientais/sangue , Sangue Fetal/química , Éteres Difenil Halogenados/sangue , Exposição Materna , Bifenilos Policlorados/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Poluentes Ambientais/farmacocinética , Feminino , Éteres Difenil Halogenados/farmacocinética , Humanos , Troca Materno-Fetal , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Peru , Bifenilos Policlorados/farmacocinética , Gravidez , Trimestres da Gravidez , Inquéritos e Questionários , Distribuição Tecidual , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Burning biomass fuels such as wood on indoor open-pit stoves is common in developing regions. In such settings, exposure to harmful combustion products such as fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)), carbon monoxide (CO) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is of concern. We aimed to investigate if the replacement of open pit stoves by improved stoves equipped with a chimney would significantly reduce exposure to PAHs, PM(2.5) and CO. Two stove projects were evaluated in Peru. Program A was part of the Juntos National Program in which households built their own stoves using materials provided. In Program B, Barrick Gold Corporation hired a company to produce and install the stoves locally. A total of 30 and 27 homes participated in Program A and B, respectively. We collected personal and kitchen air samples, as well as morning urine samples from women tasked with cooking in the households before and after the installation of the improved stoves. Median levels of PM(2.5) and CO were significantly reduced in kitchen and personal air samples by 47-74% after the installation of the new stoves, while the median reduction of 10 urinary hydroxylate PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) was 19%-52%. The observed OH-PAH concentration in this study was comparable or higher than the 95th percentile of the general U.S. population, even after the stove intervention, indicating a high overall exposure in this population.