Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in California women's serum and residential dust

Abstract

Background Humans are exposed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through various routes, including consumption of contaminated food and accidental ingestion of settled dust. Objectives We aimed to identify key routes of exposure to organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in California women of reproductive age. Methods Blood was collected from 48 mothers participating in the California Childhood Leukemia Study from 2006–2007 and analyzed for POPs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Multivariable linear regression models of natural-log transformed serum concentrations were used to identify determinants of exposure from available questionnaire information on dietary habits, reproductive history, and demographic characteristics, as well as vacuum cleaner dust-POP levels. Results After adjusting for blood lipid levels, age, body mass index, cumulative lactation, and sampling date, serum concentrations of multiple major PCBs were positively associated with fish consumption, but not dust-PCB levels. After adjusting for blood lipid levels, Hispanic ethnicity, country of origin, and household annual income, serum concentrations of multiple major PBDEs were positively associated with dust-PBDE levels. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the relative contribution of specific exposure routes to total POP intake varies by chemical class, with dust being a relatively important source of PBDEs and diet being a relatively important source of PCBs.

Serum polychlorinated biphenyls and their hydroxylated metabolites are associated with demographic and behavioral factors in children and mothers

“…This is consistent with findings by Whitehead et al, who reported that non-Hispanic mothers, especially non-Hispanic White mothers, had greater PCBs concentrations than Hispanic mothers. 13 Xue et al also reported that non-Hispanic Black adults had higher PCB levels in blood than other race/ethnicity groups. 20 Our study further suggests that ethnicity may explain variations in individual body burden of PCBs and OH-PCBs.…”

“…Method blanks (1% potassium chloride, KCl), a mixture of 13 C-labelled PCB surrogate standards and standard reference materials were used as quality control samples. Full details of quality control results were presented in our previous studies.…”

DDT Exposure in Utero and Breast Cancer

“…Serum samples had been stored at Ϫ20ºC and were first thawed to prepare an aliquot of 1.5 mL for organochlorine assays. Aliquots were then shipped frozen to the laboratory of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control where they were assayed for DDTs, including p,pЈ-DDT and o,pЈ-DDT, the primary constituents of technical DDT, and the primary metabolite of p,pЈ-DDT, DDE using methods developed previously (31).…”

Levels and trends of contaminants in humans of the Arctic

“…Changes in PBDE levels follow a pattern different from most other POPs, suggesting an alternative exposure route, such as dust from indoor furnishings (54). PBDEs may not accumulate in the same way as other POPs, such as PCBs in the food chain, or a combination of sources of exposure from food and consumer products or furnishings may cause a different accumulation pattern.…”