Detection of organochlorine pesticide residues in adipose tissue obtained from individuals living in the Marmara region who underwent liposuction.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are persistent lipophilic compounds that accumulate in adipose tissue and may contribute to long-term health risks. Human adipose tissue biomonitoring data remain limited in Türkiye. This study aimed to determine OCP residues in adipose tissue and examine their associations with demographic and lifestyle characteristics. This cross-sectional study included 50 individuals undergoing elective liposuction in southern Marmara, Türkiye. Abdominal adipose tissue samples were analyzed for 23 OCPs using a validated QuEChERS-GC-MS method. Smoking status, grilled food consumption, BMI category, and self-reported chronic disease status were evaluated. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods. At least one OCP residue was detected in 90% of participants. p,p'-DDE was the most frequently detected compound (90%), with a median concentration of 72.1 μg/kg (1.32-612.02). Smokers had higher p,p'-DDE concentrations than nonsmokers (102.8 vs. 45.6 μg/kg, p = 0.038) and a higher frequency of multiple pesticide detection (17.9% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.048). No significant differences were observed according to sex, BMI category, or grilled food consumption. OCP residues, particularly p,p'-DDE, were frequently detected in adipose tissue samples from this selected clinical population. Larger population-based studies are needed to better characterize OCP exposure patterns in Türkiye.