title: Serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the inhabitants of a Sicilian city.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with human health problems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess serum concentrations of several organochlorine contaminants in general population living in a city with an ancient agricultural tradition and to identify possible exposure sources in Sicily.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 individuals. Each participant answered a face-to-face questionnaire submitted by well-trained personnel and provided a serum sample which was analyzed for the concentrations of PCBs, HCB, HCHs and DDTs by using gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HCB, p,p'-DDE, PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 were detected in more than 80% of the study participants. The ng g(-1) lipid median concentrations were: 18.6 for HCB; 175.1 for p,p'-DDE; 22. for PCB 138; 32.5 for PCB 153 and 23.0 for PCB 180. PCB 153 and PCB 138, PCB 138 and PCB 180, PCB 153 and PCB 180, and p,p'-DDE and HCB showed a high correlation each other (p<0.05). HCB and p,p'-DDE concentrations were significantly higher in subjects >49 years old (adj-p=0.03 in 50-69 years old and adj-p<0.001 in >69 years old, respectively) whereas PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 concentrations were higher in males (adj-p=0.03), in subjects >69 years old (adj-p=0.04) and in current smokers (adj-p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows that serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds detected in subjects living in a small Sicilian city with ancient agricultural tradition are similar to those found in subjects living in urban areas of other countries. However, further investigations are needed to compare data from rural/urban areas in the same country, assessing correlations between serum concentrations of several chemical compounds and potential health effects in general population.
authors: Department of Sciences for Health Promotion G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, Italy. emanuele.amodio@unipa.it
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Amodio
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Turci
authors: Maria Fatima
authors: MF
authors: Massenti
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Di Gaudio
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Minoia
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Vitale
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Firenze
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Calamusa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003634:DDT / Q000097:blood; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000097:blood; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood*; D012802:Sicily; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene; D003634:DDT; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls