Serum levels of organochlorine insecticides in humans in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Residues of organochlorine insecticides were determined by gas chromatograph-electron capture detector in two population groups: one (n = 21) formed by persons living in the neighborhood of a technical HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) factory and the other (n = 21) constituted of individuals from the general population not occupationally exposed to pesticides. No difference was observed in the serum insecticide levels of the two groups. In the 42 samples, alpha-HCH was observed in 42 (means 1.2 micrograms/L), gamma-HCH was observed in 38 (means 0.4 microgram/L), beta-HCH was observed in 42 (means 7.3 micrograms/L), delta-HCH was observed in 4 (means greater than 0.3 micrograms/L), aldrin was observed in 42 (means 1.4 micrograms/L), p, p'DDE was observed in 42 (means 23.9 micrograms/L), o, p' -DDT was observed in 11 (means less than 0.2 micrograms/L), p,p' -DDD was observed in 32 means 2.1 micrograms/L) and p, p' -DDT was observed in 38 (means 2.1 micrograms/L).