ABSTRACT
Organochlorine residues were analyzed in human blood. Samples were collected from 122 individuals. Tissues donors were groupes according to their place of residency in two groups: one urban and one of residents of areas of intensive agricultural activity: all individuals were from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The following organochlorine residue were analyzed: -HCH; Á-HCH; Aldrin; Dieldrin Endrin;Heptachloride: Epoxi Heptacloride; HCB; Mirex; o,p DDD; o,p DDT; Oxychlordane; p.p metoxychlor; p,p DDD; p.p DDE; p,p DDT, aqnd Transnonachlor (Detection limit = 0,010 Êg/L). All individuals completed a questionnaire on age, sex, weight, occupation, place of residency, and contact with pesticides. All urban samples were negative for the organochlorines analyzed. Samples collected in the areas of agricultural activity were positive on a 10.5 per cent level. The results of the analyses of the present study were compared to results of previus studies also carried out in Rio Grande do Sul. This comparison showed a decrease over time in the incidence of organochlorines...