Time trend of organochlorine pesticide residues in human adipose tissue in Veracruz, Mexico: 1988–1997 survey

The monitoring study of 287 human adipose tissue samples collected from 1988 to 1997 was used to determine the contamination levels of organochlorine pesticides. The results obtained indicate DDT as dominant. The fluctuation of DDT levels during the study period reveal a descent tendency and are closely related to the pp′-DDE content. The results, classified according to the origin of donors, indicate a higher contamination of the suburban zone. This difference was caused by diminished use of DDT and its substitution by Malathion and pyrethroids.