title: Persistent toxic substances and public health in Spain.
abstract: In Spain, there are substantial gaps in available information about contamination of food, humans, and the environment by persistent toxic substances (PTSs), although studies have shown detectable concentrations of DDE, PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, or hexachlorocyclohexane in 80-100% of the population. Spain will soon try to implement the Stockholm treaty on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). A country that ratifies the treaty is required to develop a National Implementation Plan (NIP). Such NIPs should provide for studies of factors that influence body concentrations of PTSs in the population, and thus ultimately reduce PTS data gaps. Spain's PTS-related problems are similar to those of many other countries. Elucidation of their causes, consequences, and possible solutions will be of benefit beyond national boundaries.
authors.affiliation: Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader 80, E08003 Barcelona, Spain. mporta@imim.es
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porta
authors.forename: Ekhine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zumeta
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunyer
authors.forename: Manolis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kogevinas
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ribas
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jariod
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides / Q000097:blood; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D015980:Public Health Practice; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000592:standards; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D010573:Pesticide Residues