María A. Hernández-Valero, DrPH¹, Lovell A. Jones, PhD², Richard A. Hajek, PhD³, and Sheila Zahm, PhD¹. (1) Department of Epidemiology and Center for Research on Minority Health, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 639, Houston, TX 77030, 713-563-4009, mhernand@mdanderson.org, (2) Center for Research on Minority Health, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd - Box 639, Houston, TX 77030, (3) Department of Gynecology Oncology and Center for Research on Minority Health, The University of Texas, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 639, Houston, TX 77030

Background: The association between OCP exposure and disease prevalence among Mexican-American migrant MSFs is not known.

Methods: A pilot study was conducted to measure 21 OCPS and correlate levels with epidemiological data (sociodemographics, anthropometrics, medical and occupational histories, children’s pathways of exposures) among Mexican-American MSFs residing in Baytown, Texas. A modified version of The Migrant Farmworker Questionnaire developed by NCI was administered and each participant donated two blood samples. Eight OCPs (DDT, DDE, mirex, B-BHC, D-BHC, gamma-chlordane, oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor) were detected in the adults and two OCPs (DDE and mirex) in the children, even though these pesticides have been banned in the U.S. for decades. Adults measured higher levels for all detected OCPs than the comparison populations. Children measured higher levels of mirex [1.7 parts per billion (ppb)] than the non-migrant comparison populations (non-detectable), and similar levels as their parents (1.8 ppb). Seventy-two percent of the adults and 44% of the children reported suffering from different types of diseases or health problems (adults: diabetes, CVD, cancer, children: infections, gastric problems, asthma). Frequency of disease, country of birth and BMI were significant indicators of OCP exposure in adult participants, and age, BMI, country of origin, breast-feeding, fieldwork, number of months working in the field, and frequency of illness in the children.

Conclusion: Even though, the number of participants in this study was small, results indicate an association between OCP exposure and disease prevalence among Mexican-American MSFs. Author suggests that government should (1) enforce existing laws restricting children/adolescents from working in the fields and (2) larger studies need to be conducted to further investigate the preliminary findings.

Learning Objectives:

(
• Learn the sociodemographic characterisitcs of the U.S. migrant/seasonal farmworker population. (
• Identify the different patwhways of pesticide exposure in migrant/seasonal farmworker children and children in general and (
• Learn the types of diseases affecting Mexican- American migrant/seasonal farmworker adults and children.

Keywords: Migrant Farm Workers, Pesticide Exposure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.