title: Epidemiologic studies of PCB congener profiles in North American fish consuming populations.
abstract: Long range atmospheric and stream transport and oceanic currents drive the ecologic process of PCB deposition in the abiotic environment. In contrast short range transport via bioaccumulation-biomagnification up the food chain determines PCB congener profiles and concentrations and their adverse effects in biological organisms. Two research approaches to congeners, with potential to associate specific adverse human health effects with PCB concentrations in indigenous small populations, are summarized in this study. The field epidemiological approach includes giving questionnaires to target population groups in conjunction with sampling for PCBs (and selected persistent organic pollutants and metals), in foods purchased or hunted and collected by Inuit peoples. Direct determination of contaminant levels in food sources and among individuals in selected comparative subpopulations is also presented.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Environment Assessment, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection, Agency, Washington, DC, USA. Chiu.Arthur@epa.gov
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Jefferson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beaubier
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Shawn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerstenberger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions / Q000453:epidemiology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005399:Fishes; D020387:Food Chain; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D004930:Inuit; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls