External exposure and bioaccumulation of PCBs in humans living in a contaminated urban environment

Abstract

Humans are exposed to different mixtures of PCBs depending on the route of exposure. In this study we investigated the potential contribution of inhalation to the overall human exposure to PCBs in an urban area. For this purpose, the mechanistically based, non-steady state bioaccumulation model ACC-HUMAN was applied to predict the PCB body burden in an adult living in the Midwestern United States who eats a typical North American diet and inhales air contaminated with PCBs. Dietary exposure was estimated using measured data for eighteen PCB congeners in different food groups (fish, meat and egg, dairy products). Two scenarios for inhalation exposure were evaluated: one using air concentrations measured in Chicago, and a second using air measurements in a remote area on Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes. The model predicted that exposure via inhalation increases the accumulated mass of PCBs in the body by up to thirty percent for lower chlorinated congeners, while diet is by far the dominant source of exposure for those PCB congeners that accumulate most in humans.

Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs)-Induced Oxidative Stress Plays a Critical Role on Cerebellar Dopaminergic Receptor Expression: Ameliorative Role of Quercetin

“…Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental toxicants associated with numerous adverse health effects, through widespread bioaccumulation in the biosphere and bioconcentration in the food chain (Norstrom et al 2010). Acute and long-term exposure to PCBs has been reported to cause neurological and non-specific psychological effects, such as depression, sleeplessness, memory disturbances, nervousness, fatigue, and impotence (Schantz 1996).…”

Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Male Reproduction

“…The general population is exposed primarily through ingestion of contaminated foods (primarily foods such as fatty fish, meat, and dairy products) since PCBs can bioaccumulate and biomagnify through the food chain. However, exposure may also occur through dermal contact (soil and house dust) and inhalation of ambient air [Norstrom et al 2009] and indoor air in residential buildings and workplaces [Harrad et al 2009;2006;Kohler et al 2005]. For example, in the 1960s and 1970s, PCBs were used in sealants for the construction of commercial buildings, and high levels of PCBs have recently been found in the caulking of some public buildings which may result in contamination of indoor air and dust, as well as soil surrounding the building [Herrick et al 2004].…”

“…The primary source of PCB exposure for an individual will determine which congeners may be more or less prominent in their overall PCB exposure level, and PCB congener profiles measured in biological fluids can be used to aid in the determination of important sources of exposure for individuals or groups. For example, current levels of PCBs 153 and 180 likely reflect dietary exposures, whereas levels of the less chlorinated congeners may reflect occupational, ambient, or indoor sources of exposure [Norstrom et al 2009;Herrick et al 2007;Freels et al 2007;Wingfors et al 2006] Serum levels of PCBs are an integrated measure of internal dose, reflecting exposure from all sources over the previous years. The half-life of PCBs in the blood ranges from one to ten or more years depending on the congener [Brown 1994;Phillips et al 1989].…”

Occurrence of Chiral Bioactive Compounds in the Aquatic Environment: A Review

“…Due to their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation [127], these compounds were included in the list of Priority Substances of the Water Frame Directive and Stockholm Convention [128,129]. PCBs and their metabolites methylsulfonyl-PCBs have been found in various species as in blubber from Baltic grey seals, fish, birds and mammalian species including humans [130][131][132][133][134][135]. High contaminant levels were found in grey seals from the Baltic Sea and PCBs and their metabolites methylsulfonyl-PCBs were reported as the third most abundant class of anthropogenic substances, present at levels at 10-20% of the total PCBs [136].…”