Occurrence of tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane, tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol, and some other persistent organochlorines in Japanese human adipose tissue

Tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane (TCPMe) and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPMO H) are among the most recently identified environmental contaminants. Despi te their widespread contamination in the marine environment, human exposure to these compounds remains relatively unknown. We determined the concentra tions of TCPMe, TCPMOH, and other persistent organochlorines such as polych lorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, hexachlorobenzene, and chlordane compounds (CHLs) in human adipose tissue from Japan. TCPMe and TCPMOH were detected in all of the adipose sa mples analyzed; the concentrations ranged from 2.5-21 and 1.1-18 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Concentrations of TCPMe and TCPMOH in humans were le ss than those reported in marine mammals, suggesting the possibility of met abolism and elimination of these compounds by humans. Significant correlati on between TCPMe and TCPMOH with concentrations of DDT and its metabolites in human adipose tissues suggested that exposure to DDT is the source of TC PMe and TCPMOH in humans. The age- and sex-dependent accumulation of TCPMe and TCPMOH as well as other organochlorines was less pronounced. Results fo r other organochlorines indicated that recent contamination status of PCBs in human samples from Japan was higher than that in developing countries, w hereas DDT contamination is lower. Greater concentrations of CHLs in human adipose tissue from Japan than in those from other countries suggest that c ontinuous monitoring of CHLs in humans in Japan is necessary. To our knowle dge, this is the first study on the accumulation of TCPMe and TCPMOH in hum an adipose tissue.