SAT436 Endocrine Disruptor Of Organochlorine Pesticides Levels In Saudi Arabian Produce

Abstract Disclosure: M.S. Alokail: None. N.M. Al-Daghri: None. A.M. Alnaami: None. S. Sabico: None. S.D. Hussain: None. O.E. Amer: None. S.H. Abd-Alrahman: None. Food monitoring (FM) is a system used to evaluate and monitor hazardous contaminants, including pollutants such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Long term exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) can lead to a variety of endocrine and reproductive disruptors including gonadal changes, changes in reproductive behavior, reduced sperm quality, an increase in organ malformations, testicular failure, fetal defects, thyroid dysfunction, and lactation. The present study aimed to determine and quantify OCPs in different local produce collected from different regions in Saudi Arabia. A total of 179 local produce samples were obtained in four regions in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh (N=55), Qassim (N=61), Eastern province (N=38) and Western region (N=25). Solid phase extraction method (QuEChERS) was used to detect OCP residues in samples and levels were quantified using gas chromatograph-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The results have shown that a total of 11 OCPs were detected overall (9 OCPs in Qassim, Eastern province and Riyadh; 8 in Western region). Levels of alpha BHC was highest in Riyadh; 6 OCPs were highest in Qassim (Beta-BHC, Delta BCH, Dieldrin, Gamma-BHC, heptachlorepoxide and heptachlor); 4 OCPs were highest in the Eastern province (DDD, DDE, endosulfan and endrin), with endrin and endosulfan having the highest levels among all OCPs assessed. A total of 6 OCPs were found in all regions at varying concentrations (Beta-BHC, DDE, Delta-BCH, Dieldrin, endosulfan and heptachlor. Worthy to note is that heptachlorepoxide was found only in Qassim. In conclusion, the endocrine disruptor pesticides such as OCP residues require further investigation for a possible etiologic role in some hormone related cancers such as breast cancer. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023