Associations between autoimmune dysfunction and pollutants in Akwesasne Mohawk women: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and polychlorinated biphenyl exposure

• Published in: American journal of human biology 2022-09, Vol.34 (9), p.e23773-n/a
• Main Authors: Lee, Florence, Gallo, Mia V., Schell, Lawrence M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autoimmune diseases; Autoimmune Diseases - chemically induced; Autoimmune Diseases - epidemiology; Congeners; Contaminants; Data collection; DDE; DDT; DDT - analysis; DDT - toxicity; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene - analysis; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene - toxicity; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Exposure; Female; Humans; Immune response; Minority & ethnic groups; Multivariate analysis; Nitrous oxide; PCB; Pesticides; Pollutants; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - toxicity; Signs and symptoms; Toxicants
• ISSN: 1042-0533; 1520-6300
• DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23773

Background Pollutant exposures, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), have been found to disrupt normal immune function. Native American communities are disproportionately affected by autoimmune dysfunction and are more likely to be exposed to harmful pollutants than the general population. Objective To determine the association between autoimmune dysfunction and pollutant exposure levels, this study evaluates the statistical relationship between the presence of autoimmune dysfunction and pollutant exposure. Methods Information was collected from Akwesasne Mohawk women (n = 182), 21–39 years of age, between 2009 and 2013. Data collection included anthropometric measurements, medical diagnoses of autoimmune disease and symptoms of autoimmune dysfunction in the medical record, and blood draws for measurement of pollutants. Multivariate analyses determined the association between toxicant exposure and autoimmune dysfunction. Results Toxicant p,p′‐DDE was positively associated with an almost two‐fold risk of autoimmune dysfunction. p,p′‐DDE and PCB congeners 32, 136, and 138 were positively associated in a multivariate analysis with an autoimmune diagnosis. Conclusions Pollutant exposures, specifically to p,p′‐DDE and some PCB congeners, are common exposures that are associated with autoimmune dysfunction and autoimmune disease, although there are other factors and causes related to autoimmune dysfunction incidence.