Concentrations of Persistent Organochlorine Pesticides in Whole Blood of Pregnant Women in Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health.

摘要

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the levels of exposure to persistent organochlorine pesticides in pregnant women in Hokkaido. Methods: Whole-blood samples were obtained from 70 pregnant women aged 17 to 39 years in Hokkaido and analyzed to quantify 29 organochlorine pesticides by gas chromatographyegative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Results: Among 29 target compounds, 20 were detected in the whole-blood samples. Mirex, Parlar-26, and Parlar-50, which have never been used in Japan, were identified in all samples, as well as 11 compounds that have been used in Japan. Log-transformed concentrations of compounds with detection rates above 60% linearly correlated with each other (p<0.01). p,p'-DDE exhibited the highest concentration, with a geometric mean of 730 pg/g wet weight. From the results of the Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test, body weight or age was positively associated with the concentrations of several compounds. Conclusions: We detected 22 organochlorine pesticides including pesticides with no history of use in Japan in the whole-blood samples from pregnant women in Hokkaido. Through long-distance transport mechanisms, these pollutants may distribute widely, and further surveillance of human blood, in addition to foods and the environment, should be conducted.