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Cristina Aprea,¹ Mirella Strambi,² Maria Teresa Novelli,³ Liana Lunghini,¹ and Nanda Bozzi¹

¹Department of Occupational Toxicology and Industrial Hygiene, Siena, Italy
²Istituto di Pediatria Preventiva e Neonatologia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Siena, Italy
³Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale, Siena, Italy

Abstract

One hundred ninety-five 6- to 7-year-old children who lived in the municipality of Siena (Tuscany, Italy) underwent biologic monitoring to evaluate urinary excretion of several alkylphosphates that are metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides. We evaluated dimethylphosphate (DMP) , dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP) , dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP) , diethylphosphate (DEP) , diethylthiophosphate (DETP) , and diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP) . We obtained urine samples taken in the children's schools, and each sample was accompanied by a questionnaire about lifestyle and dietary habits. We found DMP and DMTP in detectable concentrations in the greatest number of samples (96 and 94%, respectively) . The DMP values were geometric mean (GM) 116.7, [geometric standard deviation (GSD) 2.5], and a range of 7.4-1,471.5 nmol/g creatinine. The corresponding DMTP values were GM 104.3 (GSD 2.8) and a range of 4.0-1,526.0 nmol/g creatinine. DMDTP, DEP, DETP, and DEDTP concentrations were GM 14.1, (GSD 3.0) , and a range of 3.3-754.6 nmol/g creatinine in 34% of the children ; GM 33.2, (GSD 2.4) , and a range of 5.1-360.1 nmol/g creatinine in 75% of the children ; GM 16.0, (GSD 2.9) , and a range of 3.1-284.7 in 48% of the children ; and GM 7.7, (GSD 2.1) , and a range of 2.3-140.1 in 12% of the children, respectively. The significant variable for urinary excretion of these metabolites in children was pest control operations performed inside or outside the house in the preceding month ; however, the presence of a vegetable garden near the house rarely emerged. The urinary excretion of alkylphosphates in children was significantly higher than in a group of the adult population resident in the same province. Key words: biologic monitoring, children, general population, organophosphorus insecticides, urinary alkylphosphates. Environ Health Perspect 108:521-525 (2000) . [Online 18 April 2000]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/108p521-525aprea/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to C. Aprea, U.O. di Tossicologia Occupazionale e Igiene Industriale, Azienda USL 7 - Strada del Ruffolo, 53100 Siena, Italy. Telephone: 39 0577 586752. Fax: 39 0577 586754. E-mail: maaprea@tin.it

We thank the Health Department of Siena Council for its collaboration.

Received 27 October 1999 ; accepted 7 February 2000.