Patterns of pesticide and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(<italic>p</italic>-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) exposure and androgen profile among North Carolina African -American male farmers and farm workers.

Abstract

<italic>Background</italic>. Potential health effects associated with pesticide exposure have not been well studied in black farmers. Data on the determinants of DDE concentrations and on the potential anti-androgenic activity of DDE are limited. <italic>Methods</italic>. We described patterns of pesticide use and occurrence of pesticide-related health symptoms among 891 black and 11,909 white North Carolina (NC) farmers licensed to apply pesticides who participated in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS). Plasma DDE concentrations were analyzed in 137 NC male current and former unlicensed black farmers participating in an AHS supplemental study (SS). The relationship between lipid-adjusted DDE and serum androgens [total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, 5alpha-dihyrodtestosterone, and free androgen index] and hypogonadism were examined. <italic>Results</italic>. Racial differences among AHS farmers were observed for several farming characteristics. Black farmers reported less exposure and fewer health symptoms. The difference in pesticide exposure may be explained by other factors [farm size, crop type, or economics] and in symptoms may be due to decreased exposure or the perception that symptoms were unrelated to pesticide exposure. In the SS, 75% of the men had farmed for &ge;16 years, 27% applied DDT while 26% never applied pesticides. Mean DDE and lipid-adjusted DDE concentrations were 11.44 mug/L and 1725 mug/kg, respectively. Lipid-adjusted DDE concentrations increased linearly with age, waist-to-hip ratio, and other farming characteristics. Only reported use of DDT was associated with lipid-adjusted DDE in multiple regression analyses that adjusted for age, region of residence, and body mass index. Androgen concentrations decreased with age. No significant relationship was observed between lipid-adjusted DDE concentrations and androgens or hypogonadism. <italic>Conclusions</italic>. Future studies should explore the linkage between pesticides and other health endpoints in blacks, who, despite their lower self-reported use of pesticides, may have work practices which enhance their exposure and risk. DDE concentrations were substantially below levels in American nonwhites between 1976 and 1980 but higher than levels in men in 1992. A substantial determinant of DDE concentrations today in black farmers is past farming exposure. Further studies of more highly exposed populations may be needed to evaluate subclinical physiological effects stemming from anti-androgenic activity of DDE.