Environmental pollution, human exposure and its health effect of sodium pentachlorophenate in schistosomiasis prevalent area]

Sodium pentachlorophenate (Na-PCP) has been used in China for years as an molluscacide to kill oncomelania, which is an intermediate host of Schistosome. To evaluate the effects of its long-term successive usage on environment, human exposure and health, studies were carried out in Sichuan, Jiangxi, Jiangsu and Fujian provinces, with a time gap of more than one month between sample collection and last spray of Na-PCP. Results indicated that PCP contents in surface water, soil, sediment, animals and plants were significantly higher in studied areas than in control areas. The daily intake and the content in urine of PCP were also sigificantify higher in studied areas. But, there was no difference on physical and biochemical examinations except that a 22%-28% decrease of blood cholinesterase activity was found in studied areas. The health effect of impurities in Na-PCP, dioxins and furans, was assessed and discussed.