Serum PCB levels in a representative sample of the SPANISH adult population: The BIOAMBIENT.ES project

Abstract

This manuscript presents the levels of six indicator polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) in the serum of 1880 individuals from a representative sample of the Spanish working population recruited between March 2009 and July 2010. Three out of the six PCBs studied (180, 153 and 138) were quantified in more than 99% of participants. PCB 180 was the highest contributor, followed by PCBs 153 and 138, with relative abundances of 42.6%, 33.2% and 24.2%, respectively. In contrast, PCBs 28 and 52 were detected in only 1% of samples, whereas PCB 101 was detectable in 6% of samples. The geometric mean (GM) for ΣPCBs138/153/180 was 135.4 ng/g lipid (95% CI: 121.3-151.2 ng/g lipid) and the 95th percentile was 482.2 ng/g lipid. Men had higher PCB blood concentrations than women (GMs 138.9 and 129.9 ng/g lipid respectively). As expected, serum PCB levels increased with age and frequency of fish consumption, particularly in those participants younger than 30 years of age. The highest levels we found were for participants from the Basque Country, whereas the lowest concentrations were found for those from the Canary Islands. The Spanish population studied herein had similar levels to those found previously in Greece and southern Italy, lower levels than those in France and central Europe, and higher PCB levels than those in the USA, Canada and New Zealand. This paper provides the first baseline information regarding PCB exposure in the Spanish adult population on a national scale. The results will allow us to establish reference levels, follow temporal trends and identify high-exposure groups, as well as monitor implementation of the Stockholm Convention in Spain.

Total Effective Xenoestrogen Burden in Serum Samples and Risk for Breast Cancer in a Population-Based Multicase–Control Study in Spain

“…We have no clear explanation for these geographical differences. Previous studies have reported higher than the overall average serum concentrations of PCBs in healthy adults from the northern Spanish regions ( Agudo et al 2009 ; Huetos et al 2014 ) and elevated HCB levels in the province of Navarra ( Jakszyn et al 2009 ). However, these single chemicals contributed little to the total xenoestrogen burden in the women in this study and can hardly explain the observed regional variations.…”

Levels and predictors of persistent organic pollutants in an adult population from four Spanish regions

“…There are conflicting results in the literature on the association between the obesity rate and POP burden, with researchers reporting positive, negative, or even no association (Hansen et al, 2010;Huetos et al, 2014;Hunter et al, 1997;Sala et al, 1999;Wolff et al, 2007). It could be assumed that BMI might be a proxy for food consumption, assuming a higher intake of fatty food (and consequently greater POP intake) by more obese individuals (Hardell et al, 2010).…”

Factors associated with plasma concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p’-DDE) in the Canadian population

“…Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are among the most well studied persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the environment ( [ATSDR] Agency for Toxic Substances andDisease Registry 2000, 2002). To study the body burden of these POPs in human populations, biomonitoring studies have reported PCBs, p,p'-DDT (a major isomeric constituent of DDT) and metabolites of p,p'-DDT in human blood (Becker et al 2002; [CDC] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009;Huetos et al 2014;Saoudi et al 2014). Generally, populations living at lower latitudes are exposed to PCBs and DDT primarily through consumption of fish, meat, dairy products, and breast milk ( [ATSDR] Agency for Toxic Substances andDisease Registry 2000, 2002).…”