Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in milk of women from Catalonia, Spain

Chemosphere. 2007 Apr;67(9):S295-300. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.05.110. Epub 2007 Jan 17.

Abstract

In this study, the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in milk from women living in the vicinity of a new hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Catalonia, Spain, were determined. The study was performed after 4 years of regular operations in the facility and the present PCB levels were compared with baseline concentrations obtained in a pre-operational program. PCBs and PBDEs levels were determined by HRGC/HRMS in 15 samples. In the present study planar PCBs ranged from 1.3 to 6.3 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat with a mean value of 3.8 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat. After adding dioxin-like mono-ortho-PCBs the total PCB-TEQ concentrations ranged from 3.8 to 13.3 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat (mean value: 8.7 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat). A comparison of the current data with those obtained in the baseline study showed significant decreases for both planar and total WHO-TEQ of PCBs: 47.9% and 44.6%, respectively. PCB concentrations in milk of women living in urban zones were higher than those living near industrial areas (10.1 and 7.4 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat, respectively). Mean PBDE concentrations were 2.2 and 2.5 ng/g fat for women living in urban and industrial zones, respectively. Dietary intake of PCBs and PBDEs for a standard adult woman samples were 898 and 843 ng/day for PCBs, and 72 and 63 ng/day for PBDEs, for residents in urban and industrials areas, respectively. This study suggests that dietary intake is more relevant for human exposure to PCBs and PBDEs than living near the HWI.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cities
  • Environmental Pollutants* / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants* / metabolism
  • Environmental Pollutants* / toxicity
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Incineration*
  • Industry
  • Milk, Human / chemistry*
  • Phenyl Ethers / analysis*
  • Phenyl Ethers / metabolism
  • Phenyl Ethers / toxicity
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / analysis*
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / metabolism
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / toxicity
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / metabolism
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / toxicity
  • Spain

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Phenyl Ethers
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls
  • pentabromodiphenyl ether
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls