Human Health Effects of Exposure to Organochlorine Compounds

Longnecker, M P.

Abstract

of Work: A diverse group of halogenated organic compounds (e.g., DDT, PCBs [polychlorinated biphenyls]) commands special attention in public health because they are ubiquitous in the ecosystem and may be causing adverse human health effects at background levels of exposure. We will conduct or are conducting several studies of the human health effects of background exposure to organochlorines. We have in the field now a case-control study of serum p,p'-DDE (a metabolite of DDT) and PCB levels in relation to risk of breast cancer among African-American women in Los Angeles. Three hundred cases and 300 controls will be enrolled, and the data should be ready for analysis in 1999. We are also planning to look at health effects of organochlorine residues among participants in the Collaborative Perinatal Project, for whom a blood bank (mother's blood) is available. Projects to be carried out are: 1) an examination of mother's serum p,p'-DDE levels in relation to risk of hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and polythelia in male offspring, and 2) in utero PCB exposure in relation to neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
• Type: Intramural Research (Z01)
• Project #: 1Z01ES049016-02
• Application #: 6162211
• Study Section: Epidemiology and Biometry Training Committee (EB)
• Support Year: 2
• Fiscal Year: 1997

Institution

• Name: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• Country: United States

Publications

Gatto, Nicole M; Longnecker, Matthew P; Press, Michael F et al. (2007) Serum organochlorines and breast cancer: a case-control study among African-American women. Cancer Causes Control 18:29-39

Pierik, Frank H; Klebanoff, Mark A; Brock, John W et al. (2007) Maternal pregnancy serum level of heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene, and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane and risk of cryptorchidism in offspring. Environ Res 105:364-9

Gesink Law, D C; Maclehose, R F; Longnecker, M P (2007) Obesity and time to pregnancy. Hum Reprod 22:414-20

Romano-Riquer, S Patricia; Hernandez-Avila, Mauricio; Gladen, Beth C et al. (2007) Reliability and determinants of anogenital distance and penis dimensions in male newborns from Chiapas, Mexico. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 21:219-28

Ribas-Fito, Nuria; Gladen, Beth C; Brock, John W et al. (2006) Prenatal exposure to 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) in relation to child growth. Int J Epidemiol 35:853-8

Law, Dionne C Gesink; Klebanoff, Mark A; Brock, John W et al. (2005) Maternal serum levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) and time to pregnancy. Am J Epidemiol 162:523-32

Gray, Kimberly A; Klebanoff, Mark A; Brock, John W et al. (2005) In utero exposure to background levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and cognitive functioning among school-age children. Am J Epidemiol 162:17-26

Longnecker, Matthew P; Klebanoff, Mark A; Dunson, David B et al. (2005) Maternal serum level of the DDT metabolite DDE in relation to fetal loss in previous pregnancies. Environ Res 97:127-33

Longnecker, Matthew P; Klebanoff, Mark A; Brock, John W et al. (2005) Maternal levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in relation to preterm and small-for-gestational-age birth. Epidemiology 16:641-7

Longnecker, Matthew P (2005) Invited Commentary: Why DDT matters now. Am J Epidemiol 162:726-8