Environmental Contaminant Affects Growth
A Michigan State University study has found that an environmental contaminant that was routinely used as a pesticide may affect the growth of children.
The study by Wilfried Karmaus, associate professor of epidemiology, and Scott Asakevich, a graduate degree student in epidemiology, found that growth was significantly reduced among young girls in Germany who were exposed to high levels of a contaminant known as DDE.
Asakevich presented the findings at the annual meeting of the Congress of Epidemiology in Toronto.
"We found that these girls, all between the ages of seven and 10, were growing at a lower rate that those who were exposed to low levels of DDE," Asakevich said.
The children who were exposed to higher levels of the contaminant were about an inch shorter than those who were exposed to lower levels. There was not a significant difference among boys.
DDE, or dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene, is a metabolite of DDT, a pesticide which was banned in the 1970s.
Because of its widespread use, Asakevich said it was difficult to find a population that was not exposed to it. "Only a few populations have no exposure," he said.
In his study, Asakevich looked at the health records of 343 German children and ascertained heights from birth until the age of eight.
"No one really knows why it has these effects," he said. "There are several theories. One theory is that DDE acts as an endocrine disrupter another proposes that it could have some effect on the thyroid hormone."
Researchers do not believe there are any long-term effects from increased exposure to DDE.
It's also not known why the contaminant affected girls more than boys.
The meeting at which Asakevich is presenting his findings is one of the world's largest gatherings of epidemiologists. It brings together five groups: the American College of Epidemiologists, the American Public Health Association Epidemiology Section, the Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Statistics, the Society for Epidemiologic Research, and the Society for Pediatric Epidemiologic Research.
Asakevich is from Delton, Mich. He earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from MSU.
Contact: Tom Oswald, University Relations(517) 355-2281
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