The levels of organochlorine pesticide residues (p,p'-DDE, HCB, gamma-HCH, aldrin) present in adipose tissue samples from mammary glands of 123 women living in Cordoba (Spain) were evaluated. The influence of alimentary habits and age of donors on organochlorine tissue levels was also investigated. The compound found at the highest concentration was p,p'-DDE (1.848mug/g), followed by HCB (0.235mug/g), aldrin (0.005mug/g) and gamma-HCH (0.003mg/g). The older donors presented tissue levels of p,p'-DDE, aldrin and HCB higher than those found in younger donors. Conversely, age had no influence on tissue levels of gamma-HCH. The majority of donors (40.65%) indicated fruits as the most consumed food, followed by mixed food (34.15%), non-green vegetables (6.50%), stewed meat and vegetables (6.50%), green vegetables (4.88%), milk (3.25%), fish (2.44%) and meat (1.63%). No significant correlation was observed between organochlorine tissue levels and the alimentary habits of donors.
adipose tissue; organochlorine pesticides; alimentary habits; age
