Key Points
Question
Are elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants associated with an increased mortality risk?
Findings
In a population-based cohort study of 992 individuals aged 70 to 80 years, 18 persistent organic pollutants were measured in plasma at 2 occasions. Elevated levels of highly chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were associated with increased mortality risk, mainly from cardiovascular diseases, during 10 years of follow-up.
Meaning
These results indicate that public health actions should be undertaken to limit exposure to PCBs.