Organochlorine Pesticide Exposure in Residents Near Lake Apopka

Completed

Conditions studied: Pesticide Exposure

In brief

In the Lake Apopka, Florida area for over 50 years starting in the 1940s, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) including 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dieldrin, chlordane, toxaphene and more recently methoxychlor were sprayed on farmlands in order to control pests and to improve crop harvests. For most of those years, the farmworkers were exposed to the pesticides as part of their work. Because of their lipophilic (fat soluble) nature, these organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are readily taken up into the body and not readily eliminated. Therefore, they can be detected in exposed individuals for many years after the exposure. There is some evidence that certain OCPs can cause or exacerbate medical problems in sensitive individuals. For example, exposure to some OCPs has been associated with development of Parkinsonism. Exposure to other OCPs has been associated with development of lupus erythematosus, an auto-immune disease. Other adverse effects of exposure to OCPs are endocrine disruption because some OCPs mimic estrogens and others mimic androgens, or may have mixed interactions with steroid receptors. In this research study the investigators aim is to test the blood from former farmworkers during the 1940s through the late 1970s who reside in the Lake Apopka area for OCPs and for the auto-antibodies. In addition, questionnaires will provide insight on their health status and health concerns.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02530814

Run by

University of Florida

People needed

20

Starts

2015-11-01

Expected to finish

2016-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2019-09-19

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 90. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Persons who worked on farms near lake Apopka, Florida up to 1998.
• Preference will be given to those who worked on the farms for over 10 years.

You may not qualify if…

• Persons who did not work on farms near Lake Apopka, Florida up to 1998.

Where it is running

• University of Florida — Gainesville, Florida, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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