BACKGROUND Hexachlorocyclohexane is a synthetic chemical with several isomers, including β-Hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH). In 2005, a large contamination of crude milk from some bovine farms along the Sacco River (Central Italy) was detected; it was related to the illegal disposal of large quantities of processing waste by a chemical industry of the area. A biomonitoring study, conducted in 2007 on a sample of the residing population, found high values of β-HCH in people living close to the river. These results led to the establishment of a clinical and epidemiological surveillance program on all the exposed population. The aim of the study was to evaluate the determinants of β-HCH blood levels in people living within 1 Km of the Sacco River, focusing on the role of specific foods, body mass index and risk factors not yet identified. METHODS The program involved all people living within 1 km of the river. A descriptive analysis of β-HCH blood levels was done in relation to the potential determinants including specific foods. Regression analysis was used to study the association between potential determinants and (natural log) β-HCH haematic concentration. The results were expressed as geometric mean ratios (GMR). To take into account similarities within the families we adjusted for family clustering. RESULTS A total of 602 subjects (87.2%) agreed to participate in the surveillance. The β-HCH geometric mean serum concentration was 72 ng/g lipid. The regression analysis showed that being female (GMR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.14-1.53), elderly (GMR> 70yy: 10.04, 95%CI: 6.65-15.15), obese (GMR: 1.63, 95%CI: 1.28-2.08), eating food of local/own production (GMR 1.47, 95%CI: 1.15-1.88) and using water from private wells (GMRdrink:1.47, 95%CI: 1.00-2.14 and GMRwash: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.17-1.87) were associated with higher β-HCH values. There was inverse association with breastfeeding (GMR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.47-0.86). The focus on specific foods showed that the most important factors were eggs and beef. CONCLUSIONS The study indicated a greater contamination for older people, and those drinking and washing with water from private wells and consuming locally produced food, especially eggs and beef.

中文翻译：

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生活在化工厂和非法倾倒场附近的人们中β-六氯环己烷的血药浓度预测指标。

背景技术六氯环己烷是具有几种异构体的合成化学品，包括β-六氯环己烷（β-HCH）。2005年，在萨科河（意大利中部）沿线的一些养牛场发现了粗制牛奶的大量污染；这与该地区的化学工业非法处置大量加工废物有关。2007年对居住人口的样本进行的一项生物监测研究发现，住在河边的人体内的乙型六氯环己烷的价值很高。这些结果导致对所有暴露人群建立了临床和流行病学监测计划。该研究的目的是评估生活在萨科河（Sacco River）1公里范围内的人们中乙型六氯环己烷血药水平的决定因素，重点是特定食物的作用，体重指数和尚未确定的危险因素。方法该计划涉及到生活在该河1公里以内的所有人。针对包括特定食物在内的潜在决定因素，对β-六氯环己烷的血液水平进行了描述性分析。回归分析用于研究潜在决定因素与（自然对数）β-六氯环己烷血流浓度之间的关系。结果表示为几何平均比（GMR）。考虑到家庭内部的相似性，我们针对家庭聚类进行了调整。结果共有602名受试者（87.2％）同意参加监视。β-HCH几何平均血脂浓度为72 ng / g脂质。回归分析显示，女性（GMR：1.32，95％CI：1.14-1.53​​），老年人（GMR> 70yy：10.04，95％CI：6.65-15.15），肥胖（GMR：1.63，95％CI：1.28- 2.08），吃本地/自己生产的食物（GMR 1.47，95％CI：1.15-1。88）和使用私人井中的水（GMRdrink：1.47，95％CI：1.00-2.14和GMRwash：1.48，95％CI：1.17-1.87）与较高的β-HCH值相关。与母乳喂养呈负相关（GMR：0.64，95％CI：0.47-0.86）。对特定食品的关注表明，最重要的因素是鸡蛋和牛肉。结论该研究表明，老年人以及使用私人井中的水饮用和洗涤以及食用本地生产的食物（尤其是鸡蛋和牛肉）的老年人受到的污染更大。