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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Rebecca A. Jeffries, MPH¹, Kathryn R. Mahaffey, PhD², Robert P. Clickner, PhD¹, Linda J. Phillips, PhD², and Yutaka Aoki, PhD, MS, MHS³. (1) Westat, 1650 Research Blvd, Rockville, MD 20850, 240-314-2488, RebeccaJeffries@westat.com, (2) Office of Science Coordination and Policy, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, (3) Association of Schools of Public Health, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460

Exposure to environmental contaminants has been associated with various health outcomes, including cancer, developmental abnormalities, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and may have immunomodulating effects. Certain sub-populations in the United States may be at increased risk for exposure to different contaminants. The knowledge of which sub-populations are at greater risk can help health care providers and government health agencies appropriately target health information and screening procedures. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected serum concentrations of polychlorinated bi-phenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and selected metabolites from approximately 4,200 participants in 1999-2002, and blood concentrations of lead from approximately 16,900 participants, as biomarkers of exposure to these chemicals. We used these data to investigate the association between demographic variables and exposure to these contaminants. The data were categorized according to age, gender, race/ethnicity, and country of origin. Descriptive statistics were established for each category. Data are presented on the differences in exposure seen by country of origin. Mexican born U.S. residents have significantly higher exposures to DDE, a metabolite of DDT, (DDE geometric mean 1073.6 ng/g (910.0-1266.6)) and lead (2.14 ėg/dL (2.02-2.67)), than U.S. residents born in the United States (250.8 ng/g (230.7-272.7) for DDE and 1.52 ėg/dL (1.48-1.56) for lead). However, U.S.-born residents have higher levels of PCBs (geometric mean 73.7 ng/g (69.2-78.4)) than those born in Mexico (38.1 ng/g (33.7-43.1)). The findings and conclusions in this presentation have not been formally disseminated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination of policy.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the patterns of exposure to DDE, lead and PCBs seen in the U.S. population.
• Assess the risk of exposure to DDE, lead and PCBs for sub-populations of the U.S.
• Evaluate the association between country of origin and environmental contaminant exposure.

Keywords: Environmental Exposures,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation