title: Hydroxylated PCB metabolites in nonhatched fulmar eggs from the Faroe Islands.
abstract: Thirty-six polychlorinated biphenylols (OH-PCBs) congeners were characterized in Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) eggs collected from the Faroe Islands. The seven most abundant congeners were quantified in 19 samples, and the sigmaOH-PCB concentrations ranged between 0.92 and 4.0 ng g(-1) fresh weight (f.w.). These eggs constitute a part of the traditional diet for at least a part of the population on the Faroe Islands and may contribute to the high levels of these contaminants found in the blood of pregnant Faroese women. Because the metabolites are present in the nonhatched fulmar egg, it is concluded that the OH-PCBs are transferred to the egg before laying. High levels, 3300-18,000 ng g(-1) l.w., of sigmapolychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were determined in the fulmar eggs, which are a considerable source for human exposure. The high PCB levels are a source for metabolic formation of hydroxylated PCBs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Sweden. britta.fangstrom@mk.su.se
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fängström
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Athanasiadou
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Athanassiadis
authors.forename: Pál
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weihe
authors.forename: Ake
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D001717:Birds; D004032:Diet; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D005843:Geography; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls