Endosulfan and its metabolites in fertile women, placenta, cord blood, and human milk

Although industrialized nations have restricted or banned many organochlorine pesticides, some of these chemicals (e.g., endosulfans) are still used, on the assumption that they pose little threat to the environment, wildlife, or human health. According to available information, Spain is the main consumer of endosulfans within the European Union, accounting for almost half of the total consumption. Reports on human exposure in Southern Spain to persistent bioacumulable organochlorine pesticides have indicated considerable exposure to endosulfans. The present study investigated the presence of endosulfan I, endosulfan II, and endosulfan metabolites in fatty and non-fatty tissues and fluids from women of reproductive age and children in Southern Spain. The highest concentration of commercial endosulfan I and endosulfan II was found in adipose tissue, with a mean value (I + II) of 17.72 ng/g lipid, followed by human milk, with a mean value (I + II) of 11,38 ng/mL milk. These findings support the lipophilicity of these chemicals and their elimination by milk secretion. The concentration in the placenta homogenate was similar to that in the blood from the umbilical cord (7.74 and 6.11 ng/mL, respectively) and reflected their lower fat content. Endosulfan diol and endosulfan sulfate were more frequently found in placenta homogenate, with a mean concentration of 12.56 and 3.57 ng/mL, respectively, and in blood from umbilical cord, at 13.23 and 2.82 ng/mL, respectively. Therefore, women of reproductive age in Southern Spain appear to be currently exposed to endosulfans. Because these chemicals can be mobilized during pregnancy and lactation, further research is warranted to investigate the health consequence in children resulting from exposure to chemicals suspected of immunotoxic, neurotoxic, or endocrine-disrupting effects. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.