[Polychlorinated biphenyl serum levels in two Italian population groups: sex pattern and correlation with age].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the congener-specific concentrations and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls in the Italian general population.


METHODS
Two population groups were selected and monitored for the determination of up to 60 congeners in human serum. A very detailed questionnaire was administered to each participant to collect information concerning demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors. Statistical analyses were performed to examine the relationships between PCB serum levels and age.


METHODS
Northern and Central Italy.


METHODS
162 subjects from Novafeltria, Central Italy and 164 subjects from Pavia, Northern Italy.


METHODS
Serum concentrations of both coplanar and non-coplanar PCB congeners. Relationship between PCB levels and age.


RESULTS
The mean concentration of total PCBs was found to be 2.48 and 3.93 microg/l for Novafeltria and Pavia, respectively. As waited, the most abundant congeners were CB-153, CB-138, CB-180, and CB-170. Age resulted to be the most significant determinant of PCB levels. Slight differences in the congener profile were observed in the two population groups.


CONCLUSIONS
As expected, a strong correlation between age and PCB levels has been observed. It is remarkable that the correlation increased with increasing chlorination in both the population groups. Associations with other variables, such as gender, food and alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking, appeared to be inconsistent.
Turci
Roberta
R
Laboratorio di misure ambientali e tossicologiche, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Pavia. rturci@fsm.it
Marinaccio
Alessandro
A
Balducci
Claudio
C
Catenacci
Giovanni
G
Finozzi
Enrico
E
Minoia
Claudio
C
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls