Chronic nervous-system effects of long-term occupational exposure to DDT

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04249-5

The Lancet

Volume 357, Issue 9261, 31 March 2001, Pages 1014-1016

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04249-5 Get rights and content

Summary

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a compound with moderate toxicity that is judged to be safe for occupational use, although little is known about its long-term effects on the human nervous system. We investigated chronic nervoussystem effects of long-term occupational exposure to DDT by comparing the neurobehavioural performance of retired malaria-control workers with a reference group of retired guards and drivers. DDT-exposed workers did worse on tests assessing various neurobehavioural functions than controls; performance significantly deteriorated with increasing years of DDT application. Our results could not be explained by exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides or other potential confounding factors.

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Citation Excerpt :
In a study carried out in Inuit infants during their first year of life, a relationship among DDE exposure, immune status, and the occurrence of infectious diseases has been suggested (Dewailly et al., 2000). Moreover, workers engaged in DDT manufacture showed a decline in neurobehavioural functioning and an increase of neuropsychological and psychiatric symptom (van Wendel de Joode et al., 2001), as well as a deterioration in the function of neutrophils, being more susceptible to infections (Nowak et al., 2019b). Alterations in the immune system induced by EDCs could affect the well-regulated immune capacity to respond to microbial and vaccine antigens, allergens, self and tumour antigens.
1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethane (DDT) and its main metabolite 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis (p, p’-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) act as endocrine disruptors in humans and wildlife. Immunomodulatory functions have also been attributed to both xenobiotics. DDT was banned in the 1970s due to its toxicity, but it is still produced and used for indoor residual spraying with disease vector control purposes. Due to their persistence and lipophilic properties, DDT and DDE can bioaccumulate through the food chain, being stored in organisms' adipose depots. Their endocrine disruptor function is mediated by agonist or antagonist interaction with nuclear receptors. Present review aimed to provide an overview of how DDT and DDE exposure impacts reproductive and immune systems with estrogen-disrupting action in humans and wildlife. Studies showing DDT and DDE impact on mitochondrial function and apoptosis pathway will also be reviewed, suggesting the hypothesis of direct action on mitochondrial steroid receptors.

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Research LettersChronic nervous-system effects of long-term occupational exposure to DDT

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Parasitol Today

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Research Letters
Chronic nervous-system effects of long-term occupational exposure to DDT