Lina Casadó1, Juan Pedro Arrebola2, Andrés Fontalba3, Araceli Muñoz4. 1. Department of Nursing, Medical Anthropology Research Centre (MARC), University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain. Electronic address: linacristina.casado@urv.cat. 2. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, Granada, Spain, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada, Spain, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain. Electronic address: jparrebola@ugr.es. 3. Northern Málaga Integrated Healthcare Area, Andalusian Health Service, Antequera, Spain, Department of Nursing, Medicine and Physiotherapy, Almeria University, Almería, Spain. 4. School of Social Work, Food Observatory (ODELA), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Medical Anthropology Research Centre (MARC), University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hexachlorobenzene (HCB: C₆Cl₆) is a persistent, bioaccumulative chemical formerly used worldwide in pesticide mixtures but also produced as a by-product in the chemical and metallurgical industry. Despite current international restrictions in the use and production of HCB, the majority of the general population still show detectable levels of HCB, which raises concerns on the potential health implications of the exposure. OBJECTIVE: To compile and synthesize the available scientific evidence regarding the adverse effects of exposure to HCB in children and adolescents. METHODS: A review of the literature focused on the adverse effects of HCB exposure in children. Eligible studies were systematically screened from searches in Medline, Scopus and Ebsco-host databases. A total of 62 studies were finally included. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In our search we found evidences of potential health effects linked to HCB exposure at different levels (e.g. neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, hepatotoxic and toxicogenomic), although the conclusions are still contradictory. Further prospective research is needed, considering the special vulnerability of children and adolescent population as well as the ubiquity of the exposure.
BACKGROUND:Hexachlorobenzene (HCB: C₆Cl₆) is a persistent, bioaccumulative chemical formerly used worldwide in pesticide mixtures but also produced as a by-product in the chemical and metallurgical industry. Despite current international restrictions in the use and production of HCB, the majority of the general population still show detectable levels of HCB, which raises concerns on the potential health implications of the exposure. OBJECTIVE: To compile and synthesize the available scientific evidence regarding the adverse effects of exposure to HCB in children and adolescents. METHODS: A review of the literature focused on the adverse effects of HCB exposure in children. Eligible studies were systematically screened from searches in Medline, Scopus and Ebsco-host databases. A total of 62 studies were finally included. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In our search we found evidences of potential health effects linked to HCB exposure at different levels (e.g. neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, hepatotoxic and toxicogenomic), although the conclusions are still contradictory. Further prospective research is needed, considering the special vulnerability of children and adolescent population as well as the ubiquity of the exposure.
Authors: Miguel Company-Morales; Eva Zafra Aparici; Lina Casadó; Cristina Alarcón Montenegro; Juan Pedro Arrebola Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-14 Impact factor: 3.390