Multivariate data evaluation of PCB and dioxin profiles in the general population in Sweden and Spain

Thirty-three polychlorinated biphenyls and 20 dioxin-like congeners were de termined by GC-MS in blood and adipose tissue samples from two general popu lation groups, one in Spain (n = 35) and one in Sweden (n = 28). The result s were evaluated by multivariate projection (Simca), after normalisation to the most abundant and stable congener in each data set, in order to reveal differences in the "national" congener profiles. The mean values of each p opulation group did not differ significantly. The sum of PCBs in the Spanis h was 1450 ng/g and in the Swedish 1310 ng/g. The sum of the dioxin-like co mpounds in Spain was 1180 pg/g and in Sweden 804 pg/g. The congener profile s differed between the countries. Mainly the higher chlorinated congeners f or both the dioxin-like compounds and the PCBs are more dominant in the Spa nish group compared to the Swedish. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.