The Concentrations of PCBs in the Serum and Theri Predictors of Exposure n Korean Women

일부 한국 성인 여성들의 혈중 PCBs 농도 및 그 노출요인의 연구

PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls] are halogenated aromatic compounds with the empirical formula C12H10-nCln(n=1~10), and are a mixture of possible 209 different chlorinated congeners. PCBs were widely used as dielectric fluids for capacitors, transformers, plasticizers, lubricant inks, and paint additives. once released into the environment, PCBs persist for years because they are so resistant to degradation. In addition to their high degree of lipophilicity. In 1970s, the worldwide production of PCBs seem to be still in use. The environmental load of PCBs was prohibited since 1983 in Korea. In spite of these actions, many PCBs seem to be still in use. The environmental load of PCBs will continue to be recycled through air, land, water, and the biosphere for decades to come. This study was conducted to measure the concentrations of PCBs I the serum samples of 112 women by GC/MSD(Hewlett Packard 5897 Gas Chromatography-Mass Chromatography Detector) and CG/ECD(Hewlett Packard 5890 series-II gas chromatography-Electron capture detector, U.S.A). The main results of this study were as follows; The mean and standard deviation of serum PCBs were 3.613, 0.759 ppb, respectively and median of it was 3.828 ppb. The correlation coefficients of the concentrations of 13 PCB congeners ranged from 0.7913 to 0..9985 and were significantly correlated between each items(p=0.0001). The PCB concentrations were positively associated with age(simple linear regression; R2=0.86, =0.08023, p<0.001) and with total lipids in serums(simple linear regression; R=0.7058, =0.00486, p<0.001). The age adjusted model (Y=$\beta$0+$\beta$1age+$\beta$2X) was applied for possible predictors of PCBs levels in serum. For BMI(Body Mass Index), major residential area, and fish, meat, and dairy consumption, there was no association with PCBs levels, Also there was negative association for the number of pregnancy and lactation period with PCBs levels.