Polychlorinated biphenyls in Spanish adults: determinants of serum concentrations.
BACKGROUND
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent compounds that may pose an environmental hazard to humans, food being the main source of exposure for the general population.


OBJECTIVE
To measure the serum concentrations of the main PCBs in subjects from the general population in Spain, and to assess potential determinants of such concentrations.


METHODS
Serum was obtained from blood samples of 953 subjects aged 35-64 years, residents in five Spanish regions (three from the North and two from the South), randomly selected from the EPIC-Spain cohort. Blood collection took place during 1992-1996 and four PCB congeners (118, 138, 153 and 180) were determined by means of gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD).


RESULTS
The concentration of total PCBs was 459 ng/g lipids (or 3.1 microg/l); the corresponding figures for PCB 153 were 186 ng/g lipids and 1.25 microg/l. Men had higher values than women, PCB levels increased with age, and serum concentration of PCBs was higher in northern regions. Body mass index (BMI) was inversely related to PCB concentrations, and fish intake was the dietary factor showing the greatest association with serum PCBs. The pattern described was similar for each congener separately.


CONCLUSIONS
We found concentrations similar to those reported in European countries where blood collection was carried during the same period. Regional differences within Spain are not fully explained by anthropometric or dietary factors. The inverse association with BMI suggests that in the mid-1990s there was still ongoing or recent exposure to PCBs in Spain.
Agudo
Antonio
A
Unit of Nutrition, Environment, and Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), IDIBELL, Av. Gran Via n degrees 199-203, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain. a.agudo@iconcologia.net
Goñi
Fernando
F
Etxeandia
Arsenio
A
Vives
Asunción
A
Millán
Esmeralda
E
López
Raul
R
Amiano
Pilar
P
Ardanaz
Eva
E
Barricarte
Aurelio
A
Chirlaque
M Dolores
MD
Dorronsoro
Miren
M
Jakszyn
Paula
P
Larrañaga
Nerea
N
Martínez
Carmen
C
Navarro
Carmen
C
Rodríguez
Laudina
L
Sánchez
M José
MJ
Tormo
M José
MJ
González
Carlos A
CA
D000328:Adult; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood*; D013030:Spain
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls