Co-variation in circulating levels of 45 environmental contaminants from different chemical classes in a human population.

摘要

Aim: When evaluating effects of mixtures in humans it is essential to know to what extent high levels of environmental contaminants co-exist in he individual. If so, some selected contaminants could be used as markers of exposure. The aim of the present study is to investigate co-variation of multiple contaminants in the circulation in a large population-based sample. Method: In almost 1,000 subjects in the Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (50% women, all aged 70 years), 45 different environmental contaminants from different classes (PCBs, dioxin, brominated flam retardant, pesticides, BPA, phthalates, PFAS, metals) were measured. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used. Results: Except for one cluster of low-chlorinated PCBs (congeners 74, 99, 105, 118, 138, and 153) and one cluster of highly chlorinated PCBs (congeners 156, 157, 170, 180, 189, 194, 206, and 209), and one cluster consisting of some of the PFAS, no major co-variation was seen in the investigated contaminants. Conclusion: Except for some PCBs, and some PFAS, very little co-variation was seen amongst a large number of environmental contaminants from different classes. Thus, a large number of contaminants have to be measured on order to evaluate mixture effects in humans.