ELIMINATION OF BETA-HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE IN OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED PERSONS

The elimination of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) in humans was investigated in a group of 40 former workers of a lindane-producing p lant by analyzing at least 2 blood specimens (3 specimens in 3 workers ) from different time points. Assuming a first-order kinetic model for excretion, the median half-life of beta-HCH is 7.2 yr calculated by c oncentrations in whole blood and 7.6 yr calculated by concentrations i n extractable lipids. In univariate analyses an influence of age, perc ent body fat, and liver disease (additionally in whole blood an influe nce of contents of extractable lipids) on clearance war observed. All factors show a positive correlation with half-life. According to a mul tiple regression model, influence of percent body fat calculated accor ding to Deurenberg et al. (1991) is an important covariate in the desc ription of the variations of the clearance rate (calculated on the bas is of extractable lipids) of beta-HCH. The data support the assumption of first-order kinetics.