Differential Bioaccumulation Patterns of α, β-Hexachlorobenzene and Dicofol in Adipose Tissue from the GraMo Cohort (Southern Spain)

To identify bioaccumulation patterns of alpha-, beta- hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dicofol in relation to sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle factors, adipose tissue samples of 387 subjects from GraMo cohort in Southern Spain were analyzed. Potential predictors of these organochlorine pesticides (OCP) levels were collected by face-to-face interviews and assessed by multivariable linear and logistic regression. OCPs were detected in 84.2% (beta-HCH), 21.7% (alpha-HCH), and 19.6% (dicofol) of the population. beta-HCH levels were positively related to age, body mass index (BMI), mother's occupation in agriculture during pregnancy, living in Poniente and Alpujarras, white fish, milk and water consumption, and negatively related to being male, living near to an agricultural area, working >= 10 years in agriculture, and beer consumption. Detectable alpha-HCH levels were positively related to age, BMI, milk consumption, mother's occupation in agriculture during pregnancy, and negatively with residence in Poniente and Alpujarras, Granada city, and Granada Metropolitan Area. Residence near to an agricultural area, smoking habit, white fish and water consumption, and living in Poniente and Alpujarras, Granada city and Granada Metropolitan Area were negatively associated with detectable dicofol levels. Our study revealed different bioaccumulation patterns of alpha, beta-HCH and dicofol, probably due to their dissimilar period of use, and emphasize the need for assessing the exposure to frequently overlooked pollutants.

Automated summary

This study analyzed adipose tissue samples from the GraMo cohort in Southern Spain to identify the bioaccumulation patterns of alpha-, beta- hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dicofol in relation to sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle factors. The study found different predictors associated with the levels of these organochlorine pesticides (OCP), suggesting distinct bioaccumulation patterns.