Human Serum DDT Concentration Related to Environmental DDT Exposure

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Abstract
In a study of the epidemiological significance of serum DDT concentration, three groups of men with descending degrees of occupational pesticide exposure gave bimonthly blood samples throughout 1968. The groups contained 38, 32, and 28 men, respectively. Their serums were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. There was no clear relationship between degree of occupational DDT exposure and total serum DDT concentration. All three groups experienced sixfold increases in total serum DDT concentration between April and August. Concomitantly, in all groups there was a relative decrease in serum concentration of DDE, a degradation product of DDT. The results suggested that local agricultural and municipal insecticide applications increased the DDT exposure of all subjects regardless of their degree of occupational pesticide exposure, and that DDT appeared in their serums soon after absorption from the external environment.