Tereza Atsuko Kussumi

Organochlorines and breast cancer: a case-control study in Brazil.

Breast cancer is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil. Some studies have analyzed the potential role of organochlorine compounds in breast cancer etiology. These chemical compounds have been widely used in agriculture and in vector‐control programs in Brazil. A case‐control study was carried out in the main cancer hospital of the Instituto Nacional de Câncer in Rio de Janeiro to investigate exposure to organochlorinated pesticides as a risk factor for breast cancer. We investigated 177 cases of invasive breast cancer at the hospital, between May 1995 and July 1996, and 350 controls selected among female visitors at the same hospital. In addition to information obtained from interviews, blood samples were taken, to analyze residual amounts of organochlorine by gas chromatography using an electron capture detector. [1,1‐Dichloro‐2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl)ethylene] (DDE) was determined in sera of 457 women from a total of 493 participants who had serum samples available. Residues of hexachlorobenzene were found in 11 women only. No statistically significant association was found between breast cancer risk and serum level of DDE or history of exposure to pesticides. Serum levels of DDE (ng/ml) were similar in patients (median = 3.1, mean = 5.1) and controls (median = 3.1, mean = 4.8) (p = 0.93). The age‐adjusted odds ratio of breast cancer for women in the upper quintile compared with those in the lowest quintile was 0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.47–1.73). When adjusted for other variables, the risk remained not statistically significant (upper quintile odds ratio = 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.39–1.60). In our hands, exposure to organochlorinated pesticides measured by history or serum analysis was thus not a risk factor for breast cancer. Int. J. Cancer 83:596–600, 1999.

Evaluation of pesticide residues in oranges from São Paulo, Brazil

Pesticides in “PERA” orange samples (N = 57) from Sao Paulo City, Brazil were assessed and the pesticide intake contribution was estimated for chronic risk assessment. Seventy-six pesticides were evaluated by the gas chromatography multi-residue method, including isomers and metabolites (4.332 determinations). The mean recoveries at the limit of quantification level were in the range of 72-115% and the relative standard deviation for five replicate samples was 1-11%. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.005 to 0.4 mg.kg−1 and from 0.01 to 0.8 mg.kg−1, respectively. Pesticides were found in 42.1% of the samples at levels ranging from 0.06 to 2.9 mg.kg−1. Of the contaminated samples, 3.5% contained residues (bifenthrin and clofentezine) above the maximum residue level and 12.3% contained unauthorized pesticides (azinphos-ethyl, parathion, myclobutanil, profenofos, and fenitrothion). The estimated risk characterization for orange intake by adults and children, respectively, ranged from 0.04 to 6.6% and from 0.1 to 26.5% of the acceptable daily intake. The detection of irregular residues emphasizes the need for better implementation of Good Agriculture Practices and greater control of formulated products. Other pesticides surveyed did not pose a health risk due to consumption.

Projeto-piloto do Primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Populações Expostas a Substâncias Químicas, 2008-2009

Para viabilizar a futura realizacao de um Inquerito Nacional de Populacoes Expostas a Substâncias Quimicas, executou-se um projeto-piloto para examinar a exequibilidade, testar e adequar metodologias e estabelecer parcerias. Foram realizados tres estudos de corte transversal, respectivamente, com doadores de sangue residentes na Regiao Metropolitana de Sao Paulo-SP, conscritos do Exercito Brasileiro e criancas escolares residentes no municipio do Rio de Janeiro-RJ, mediante aplicacao de questionarios e coleta de material biologico (sangue venoso e capilar, unha e cabelo) para analise de metais e compostos organoclorados persistentes. Concluiu-se que e viavel a realizacao de um Inquerito Nacional, embora a estrategia de obtencao das amostras biologicas deva ser definida para cada subgrupo da populacao. Recomenda-se aproveitar as estruturas de servicos existentes para obtencao de amostras, utilizar matrizes tradicionais para maior comparabilidade e garantir sua realizacao periodica.