title: Polychlorinated biphenyls in Spanish adults: determinants of serum concentrations.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agudo
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goñi
authors.forename: Arsenio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Etxeandia
authors.forename: Asunción
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vives
authors.forename: Esmeralda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Millán
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amiano
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ardanaz
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barricarte
authors.forename: M Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Chirlaque
authors.forename: Miren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorronsoro
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jakszyn
authors.forename: Nerea
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Larrañaga
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Laudina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: M José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: M José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tormo
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls