title: Biomarker measurements of prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in umbilical cord blood from postpartum Hispanic women in Brownsville, Texas.
abstract: Biomarkers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were measured in both maternal and umbilical cord blood from 35 pregnant Hispanic women living in Brownsville, TX. Gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC/ECD) was used to analyze for 22 PCB analytes. Results indicated that both pregnant mothers and their fetuses were exposed to a variety of PCB at relatively low levels (≤ 0.2 ng/ml), and that concentrations in maternal and cord blood were similar. Concentrations of total PCB (sum or all PCB congeners) averaged more than 2.5 ng/ml, with highest values exceeding 3 ng/ml. Although health implications are uncertain, reports in the literature of PCB-related health effects raise concerns about possible future health consequences, especially obesity and diabetes, in this potentially vulnerable population.
authors.affiliation: a University of Texas School of Public Health , Brownville Regional Campus , Brownsville , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sexton
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Salinas
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Rose M Z
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gowen
authors.forename: Rebecca P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Joseph B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Susan P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Fisher-Hoch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D013781:Texas; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls