Relation between Smoking and Levels of DDT and Dieldrin in Huaman Fat

Abstract

The adipose tissue of humans with known patterns of cigarette smoking was collected during 1973-74 and analyzed for DDT components and dieldrin. Although smokers are exposed to high levels of insecticides from smoke of cigarettes and some of these compounds can be stored in adipose tissue, it could not be demonstrated that a relationship exists between smoking habit and residual levels of DDT found in fat. Smokers seem able, through induction of enzymes by substances in tobacco smoke, to metabolize these insecticides at a rate approximately equal to the rate of their intake in the smoke. Dieldrin residues in black male subjects were found to be linearly related to the number of cigarettes smoked, but the factors governing this relationship were not obvious.

Chronic bronchitis and pesticide exposure: a case–control study in Lebanon

“…Cigarette smoke contains polycyclic hydrocarbons, which are well known inducers of hepatic mixed function oxidases [26]; on the other hand, several pesticides are metabolized by similar liver cytochromes [27][28][29]. Smokers may thus be able to metabolize pesticides at a higher rate than non smokers [30], and may not be as affected by their toxic effects as non smokers. This issue remains to be further explained by larger scale studies.…”

Respiratory diseases and pesticide exposure: a case-control study in Lebanon

“…In fact, in this study, lower education persons smoked more, and smoking is known to induce hepatic enzymes, and by that to decrease xenobiotics toxicity, pesticides in particular. 24 This is why multivariate analysis was necessary. However, residual confounding attributable to socioeconomic status is still possible, as education level may not completely account for socioeconomic status.…”