Introduction: In spite of the international consensus on the human health risks associated with exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the Tunisian population is suspected to have been inadvertently exposed to POPs over the last decades.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate POP concentrations in the serum of a subset of 54 Tunisian women and to identify some socio-demographic and dietary predictors of exposure to POPs.
Results: Of the ten POPs analyzed, three polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (-138, -153 and -180), and two organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), HCB and p,p'-DDE, showed frequencies ranging from 98 to 100%. Serum median concentrations of PCB congeners (-138, -153 PCB-180) were 26.08, 119.1 and 29.84 ng/g lipid, respectively, and median concentrations of HCB and p,p'-DDE were 19.98 and 127.59 ng/g lipid, respectively. Age was positively correlated with serum levels of selected POPs. Women living in northern Tunisia showed higher serum levels of all PCBs. Working outside home and cereal consumption were positively associated to serum levels of p,p'-DDE. The duration of the lactation was also related to lower serum levels of p,p'-DDE and HCB.
Conclusion: The levels of exposure to POPs found warrant a biomonitoring program in order to identify routes of exposure and population groups at higher risk. This program will help to establish prevention policies and to determine the association between exposure to POPs and chronic diseases.
Keywords: Exposure predictors; Organochlorine pesticides; Persistent organic pollutant; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Serum; Tunisia.
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