Polychlorinated biphenyls in umbilical cord serum of newborns from Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are food-chain contaminants that have been shown to contaminate foods worldwide. The newborn are exposed to these organochlorine compounds across the placenta and through breastfeeding. They are proven to be carcinogenic and may contribute to congenital malformation etiology.


METHODS
This study examined levels of five PCB congeners (28, 52, 138, 153 and 180) in umbilical cord serum samples from 148 newborns from Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Serum concentrations of PCBs were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection and mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Levels of ∑PCBs ranged from 0.35 to 55.17 ng/ml in umbilical cord serum positive samples, and PCB 138 was the most prevalent congener. Only 7.4% of samples presented no PCB congener.


CONCLUSIONS
Some PCB congener cord serum levels were related to the locale of the mothers' residence, smoking and drinking habits, fruit consumption, and congenital malformation.
Departamento de Tecnologia e Ciência dos Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: susana@mohr.net.br.
Susana
S
Mohr
Mestrado em Ciência e Tecnologia de Leite e Derivados, Universidade Norte do Paraná, Rua Marselha, 591, CEP 86041-140 Londrina, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: joice.sifuentes@gmail.com.
Joice
J
Sifuentes dos Santos
Departamento de Tecnologia e Ciência dos Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: tgsnapo@gmail.com.
Thiago Guilherme
TG
Schwanz
Departamento de Tecnologia e Ciência dos Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: rogerwag@gmail.com.
Roger
R
Wagner
Departamento de Tecnologia e Ciência dos Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: josemozzaquatro@yahoo.com.br.
Joseane Oliveira
JO
Mozzaquatro
Mestrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: aslorenzoni@gmail.com.
Alessandra Scherer
AS
Lorenzoni
Departamento de Morfologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: ijonicostabeber@gmail.com.
Ijoni Hilda
IH
Costabeber
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D004583:Electrons; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Food habits; Human biomonitoring; PCBs; POPs; Prenatal exposure