The purpose of the study was to measure urinary organophosphate (OP) metabolites
in Palestinian pregnant women, and to compare levels with those in pregnant women
in Jerusalem and women from the general population in Israel. We measured six
dialkyl phosphates in urine samples collected from 148 pregnant women from the
West Bank area. Median total dimethyl phosphate (DMtotal) levels were significantly
lower in Palestinian women compared to Jerusalem pregnant women and women in
Israel (p = 0.041). In Palestinian women reporting that their place of residence was
near an agricultural field, DMtotal levels were significantly higher (p = 0.037). Lower
urinary excretion of dimethyl phosphate pesticide metabolites in Palestinian women
compared to Israeli women may result from lower consumption of fruits and vegetables
in the Palestinian population. Our findings highlight differences in OP pesticide
exposure in populations with close geographical proximity but with differences in
culture, diet, lifestyle, and regulatory oversight of pesticides.This work was supported by the United States Agency for International Development [grant number
M27-028] and by the Environment and Health Fund in Jerusalem, Israel [grant number RGA
1101]
