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Hexachlorobenzene episode in Turkey
A Gocmen1, H A Peters, D J Cripps
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Hacettepe, Ankara, Turkey.
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences : BES
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) fungicide exposure caused porphyria in thousands, leading to skin issues and other health problems. Long-term follow-up shows persistent dermatologic and neurologic symptoms in survivors.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Dermatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) fungicide contamination of wheat in Southeast Anatolia (1955-1959) led to widespread porphyria.
- This environmental exposure resulted in severe dermatologic conditions like "black sore" (kara yara) and high mortality in infants ("pink sore" or pembe yara).
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a long-term follow-up study of individuals exposed to hexachlorobenzene (HCB)-induced porphyria.
- To assess the persistent dermatologic, neurologic, and orthopedic sequelae decades after initial exposure.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up assessment of 252 patients 20-30 years post-HCB exposure.
- Clinical examination for dermatologic, neurologic, and orthopedic signs.
- Analysis of urine and stool porphyrin levels.
- Measurement of HCB levels in human milk samples from affected mothers.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited significant long-term sequelae including facial/hand scarring (83.7%), hyperpigmentation (65%), hypertrichosis (44.8%), and painless arthritis (70.2%).
- Elevated porphyrin levels were detected in 17 patients.
- HCB was detected in human milk of affected mothers (0.51 ppm vs. 0.07 ppm in controls).
Conclusions:
- Long-term exposure to hexachlorobenzene (HCB) results in persistent and diverse health issues, including significant dermatologic and orthopedic problems.
- Despite maternal HCB exposure and porphyria, offspring appear normal after three decades.