Pesticide Exposure and Health Status in North Carolina African American Male Farmers and Farm Workers
Pesticide Exposure and Health Status in North Carolina African American Male Farmers and Farm Workers
We propose to conduct a study to increase our understanding of farming practices and of the
 potential for previous exposure to DDT in North Carolina African American male agricultural
 workers, a group especially likely to have had high DDT exposure. Because of potentially
 widespread DDT exposure from agricultural activities, African American farmers and farm
 workers may be uniquely at risk for any associated health effects. However, little is known
 about levels of pesticide exposure in African American farming populations. Three hundred and
 eighty-nine African American men who are current or former farmers or farm workers will be
 asked to participate in the study. These men are members of the Supplemental Minority Cohort
 of the NCI/NIEHS/EPA Agricultural Health Study (AHS). The AHS is a prospective study of the
 potential health effects associated with agricultural exposures. Men in the supplemental
 cohort were recruited in 1996. At that time, they completed an enrollment questionnaire that
 focused on lifetime agricultural exposures, demographics, lifestyle factors and health. In
 this new study, a follow-up questionnaire will be administered by telephone by a trained
 interviewer to all men. Following the interview, the participant will be asked to donate a
 blood specimen, to have anthropometric indices (e.g., height, weight, waist and hip
 circumference, etc.) measured, and to have a top- and side view Polaroid photograph of their
 head taken during one visit to a central community location, such as the local church or
 health clinic. We will quantitatively document serum p,p'-DDE levels, correlate these with
 self-reported farming activities and DDT exposure, and describe the health status of these
 men. We will also correlate serum p,p'-DDE levels and androgen concentrations, since p,p'-DDE
 is thought to be a potent androgen receptor antagonist. This exploration of the potential
 link between levels is important because the demonstration of any subclinical physiological
 effects of p,p'-DDE would increase the plausibility of a wide range of health effects that
 have been postulated to be associated with the endogenous endocrine environment and the
 so-called endocrine disrupters. In addition, we will evaluate the relationship between
 several important physiological parameters which can be easily and accurately measured in
 serum, and physical characteristics including hair patterning and distribution of body fat in
 these African American men.
We propose to conduct a study to increase our understanding of farming practices and of the
 potential for previous exposure to DDT in North Carolina African American male agricultural
 workers, a group especially likely to have had high DDT exposure. Because of potentially
 widespread DDT exposure from agricultural activities, African American farmers and farm
 workers may be uniquely at risk for any associated health effects. However, little is known
 about levels of pesticide exposure in African American farming populations. Three hundred and
 eighty-nine African American men who are current or former farmers or farm workers will be
 asked to participate in the study. These men are members of the Supplemental Minority Cohort
 of the NCI/NIEHS/EPA Agricultural Health Study (AHS). The AHS is a prospective study of the
 potential health effects associated with agricultural exposures. Men in the supplemental
 cohort were recruited in 1996. At that time, they completed an enrollment questionnaire that
 focused on lifetime agricultural exposures, demographics, lifestyle factors and health. In
 this new study, a follow-up questionnaire will be administered by telephone by a trained
 interviewer to all men. Following the interview, the participant will be asked to donate a
 blood specimen, to have anthropometric indices (e.g., height, weight, waist and hip
 circumference, etc.) measured, and to have a top- and side view Polaroid photograph of their
 head taken during one visit to a central community location, such as the local church or
 health clinic. We will quantitatively document serum p,p'-DDE levels, correlate these with
 self-reported farming activities and DDT exposure, and describe the health status of these
 men. We will also correlate serum p,p'-DDE levels and androgen concentrations, since p,p'-DDE
 is thought to be a potent androgen receptor antagonist. This exploration of the potential
 link between levels is important because the demonstration of any subclinical physiological
 effects of p,p'-DDE would increase the plausibility of a wide range of health effects that
 have been postulated to be associated with the endogenous endocrine environment and the
 so-called endocrine disrupters. In addition, we will evaluate the relationship between
 several important physiological parameters which can be easily and accurately measured in
 serum, and physical characteristics including hair patterning and distribution of body fat in
 these African American men.
-  INCLUSION CRITERIA:

 All African American men who are members of the Supplemental Minority Cohort of the
 NCI/NIEHS/EPA Agricultural Health Study will be recontacted and asked to participate in the
 study.

 EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

 We are limiting this initial study to adult African American males.