Theophylline disposition in residents living near a chemical waste site

The pharmacokinetics of theophylline were compared in 11 residents living near a chemical waste site (Love Canal) and 25 control subjects from Western New York. Love Canal residents had documented chronic exposure to a variety of organic and halogenated compounds. Only young adults with no overt diseases were examined. Theophylline plasma clearances were similar in the two groups, although the enzyme inductive effects of tobacco smoking were further confirmed. The lack of environmental effect on theophylline clearance indicates that no chronic net change in one pathway of microsomal P-448 oxidation occurred. The possibility of acute changes related to seasonal chemical exposure and mixed inductive/repressive effects from the myriad types of chemicals may confound the data.