COMPARISON OF CHLORINATED HYDROCARBON PESTICIDES IN MATERNAL BLOOD PLACENTAL TISSUES

Fifty-three paired placental and maternal blood specimens were collected from women in a general population and analyzed for the chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides. All specimens were analyzed by electron gas liquid chromatography. Chlorinated hydrocarbons, previously reported in human adipose and blood specimens (DDT, DDE, DDD, dieldrin, aldrin, BHC, lindane, and heptachlor epoxide), were detected in the placental and maternal blood specimens. DDE, DDT and lindane were detected more frequently. No marked differences were observed among residence, age, or race because the population group sampled was fairly homogeneous with similar environmental sources of exposure to the chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides. To our knowledge, this is the first reported comparison of the chlorinated hydrocarbon levels detected in placental and maternal blood specimens, as well as the detection of aldrin and heptachlor in placental and blood specimens collected from women in a general population, i.e., without occupational or accidental exposure to these pesticides. © 1969.