Chlorinated hydrocarbons metabolic pathways

Chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, when dissolved in oil or other lipid, are readily absorbed by the skin and alimentary canal. Although methoxychlor is slowly metabolized to a small extent by pathways similar to those of DDT, the major pathway is by O-demethylation and subsequent conjugation. Methoxychlor has been detected in the blood of agricultural workers. All organochlorines are likely to be excreted in the milk of lactating women. Methoxychlor is excreted mainly in feces, and to a lesser extent in urine. 

As shown in Fig. 2, chlorinated hydrocarbons such as VC, perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene are metabolized in similar pathways (Lockey et al. 1987). However, the significance of the P 450 system for metabolization and in the detoxification of putative SSc-inducing environmental toxins has not been studied so far. 

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