Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Organochlorine Pesticides in Adipose Tissues of Korean Women

• Published in: Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 62; no. 1; pp. 176 - 184
• Main Authors: Moon, Hyo-Bang, Lee, Duk-Hee, Lee, Yoon Soon, Choi, Minkyu, Choi, Hee-Gu, Kannan, Kurunthachalam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.01.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Adipose Tissue - chemistry; Adipose tissues; Adult; Age; Aged; analysis; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Biotransformation; Body fat; Body mass index; Breastfeeding & lactation; chemistry; chlordane; Consumption patterns; Correlation analysis; DDT (pesticide); Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Ethers; exposure pathways; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; General aspects; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - analysis; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - pharmacokinetics; Health care; Human exposure; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - pharmacokinetics; Korea (South); Korean Peninsula; Laboratory animals; Lipids; Middle Aged; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Organic compounds; Organochlorine compounds; Organochlorine pesticides; PCB; Persistent organic pollutants; Pesticide Residues; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pesticide Residues - pharmacokinetics; Pesticides; pharmacokinetics; Pollutants; Pollution; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - pharmacokinetics; Populations; Preventive medicine; Republic of Korea; Soil Science & Conservation; Studies; Tissues; Toxicity; women; Republic of Korea; South Korea; Korea (South); Korean Peninsula; PCBs; Human Adipose Tissue; Adipose Tissue; POPs; Korean Woman; Human; Adipose tissue; Ecotoxicology; Toxicity; Pesticides; Flame retardant; Polychlorobiphenyls; Volatile organic compound; Low volatile compound; Persistent organic pollutant; Pollution; Organochlorine compounds; Chlorine Organic compounds; Environment; Bromine Organic compounds; Woman; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0090-4341; 1432-0703; 1432-0703
• DOI: 10.1007/s00244-011-9679-6

Studies on residue levels and accumulation profiles of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human adipose tissues of Korean populations are scarce. In this study, concentrations and accumulation features of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in adipose tissues of Korean women age 40–68 years. The highest concentrations were found for PCBs and DDTs, which were 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than the concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes, chlordanes, and PBDEs. The concentrations of PCBs and OCPs were lower than those reported for other countries. However, PBDE concentrations were greater than those reported for other countries, suggesting that ongoing exposure to PBDEs is a concern in Korea. The profiles of PBDEs were characterized by the predominance of BDE 209, followed by nona- and octa-BDEs, which are consistent with the consumption patterns of products containing PBDEs in Korea. The concentrations of PCBs and some OCPs were significantly correlated with each other, whereas PBDEs showed low or moderate correlations with other POPs, suggesting differences in exposure routes and biotransformation potentials of the compounds studied. The concentrations of organochlorines and PBDEs were not correlated with subjects’ age and body mass index. The results of this study provide baseline information on POPs in adipose tissues of the general population in Korea.