Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Their Hydroxylated Metabolites (OH-PCBs) in Pregnant Women from Eastern Slovakia

摘要

OBJECTIVE: Our aim in the present study was to characterize and quantify the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and specific polychlorobiphenylol (OH-PCB) metabolites in maternal sera from women delivering in eastern Slovakia.DESIGN: During 2002-2004,blood samples were collected from women delivering in two Slovak locations: Michalovce district,where PCBs were formerly manufactured,and Svidnik and Stropkov districts,about 70 km north.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 762 and 341 pregnant women were sampled from Michalovce and Svidnik/Stropkov,respectively,and OH-PCBs were measured in 131 and 31.EVALUATION/MEASUREMENTS: We analyzed PCBs using gas chromatography (GC)/electron capture detection.OH-PCBs and pentachlorophenol (PCP) were determined as methyl derivatives using GC-electron capture negative ionization/mass spectrometry.We characterized distributions in the full cohort using inverse sampling weights.RESULTS: The concentrations of both PCBs and OH-PCB metabolites of Michalovce mothers were about two times higher than those of the Svidnik/Stropkov mothers (p < 0.001).The median weighted maternal serum levels of the sum of PCBs (SIGMA PCBs) were 5.73 ng/g wet weight (Michalovce) and 2.82 ng/g wet weight (Svidnik/Stropkov).The median sum of OH-PCBs (SIGMA OH-PCBs) was 0.55 ng/g wet weight in Michalovce mothers and 0.32 ng/g wet weight in Svidnik/Stropkov mothers.4-OH-2,2',3,4',5,5',6-Heptachlorobiphenyl (4-OH-CB187) was a primary metabolite,followed by 4-OH-2,2',3,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (4-OH-CB146).Only four PCB congeners-CBs 153,138,180,and 170-had higher concentrations than 4-OH-CB187 and 4-OH-CB146 (p < 0.001).The median ratio of the SIGMA OH-PCBs to the SIGMA PCBs was 0.10.CONCLUSIONS: Mothers residing in eastern Slovakia are still highly exposed to PCBs,and their body burdens of these pollutants and OH-PCB metabolites may pose a risk for adverse effects on health for themselves and their children.