ASSESSMENT OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs) IN SERUM FROM GUINEA-BISSAU, WESTERN AFRICA – A TIME TREND STUDY

摘要

There is a lack of information on POPs in developing countries in general and specifically in Africa. This study aims to investigate the occurrence and possible time-trends of POPs in Guinea-Bissau. Pooled blood samples from 34 police officers taken at 4-5 occasions between 1990 and 2007 were analyzed in search for chlorinated pesticides, PCBs and PBDEs. Decreasing levels over time were seen for all investigated compounds except for the PBDEs that did not show a significant time trend. 4,4'-DDE was found at the highest concentration in all samples followed by 4,4'-DDT, β-HCH, γ-HCH and PCBs. The mean 4,4'-DDE concentration was 2400 ng/g fat and the mean 4,4'-DDT concentration was 630 ng/g fat. There was a distinct decrease (90%) of γ-HCH from the first time point (1990-1991) to the second point (1993-1995) thereafter it seems to reach a steady state. There was a decrease of β-HCH as well but not as fast. CB-153 was the major PCB congener followed by CB-180 and CB-138. The concentration of CB-153 was between 20 and 100 ng/g fat. PBDEs were found at low levels.