COPLANAR PCBS AND THE RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF COPLANAR PCBS, PCDDS, AND PCDFS TO THE TOTAL 2,3,7,8-TCDD TOXICITY EQUIVALENTS IN HUMAN SERUM

Coplanar PCBs in human serum were measured by high-resolution gas chro matography/isotope-dilution high-resolution mass spectrometry in 46 pu lp and paper mill workers and 16 community residents with no specific known source of PCB exposure. The relative contribution of coplanar PC Bs, PCDDs, and PCDFs to the total 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxicity equivalents (T EQs) were compared using the toxic equivalency factors proposed by Saf e [1] and the factors recently proposed by WHO [2]. The mean concentra tions of PCB-126 and PCB-169 were higher in paper mill workers than in community residents. However, these differences were not statisticall y significant. Serum PCB-126, but not PCB-169, was correlated with bod y mass index (Spearman's r=0.40, p=0.002). Serum PCB-169, but not PCB- 126, was correlated with age (Spearman's r=0.54, p=0.0001). Multiple l inear regression analysis for log-transformed combined PCBs showed tha t age (p=0.008). body mass index (p=0.031), and eating locally caught fish (p=0.019) were statistically significant predictors. The majority of the total TEQ in serum is due to PCDDs (63%), whereas PCDFs accoun t for 21% and coplanar PCBs account for 15% when calculated using the TEFs proposed by Safe. The percent contributions from PCDDs, PCDFs, an d coplanar PCBs were 66%, 24%, and 10% respectively when calculated ba sed on the TEFs proposed by WHO. Age, body mass index, and consumption of locally caught fish are significant predictors for coplanar PCB le vels in human serum. Serum PCDDs were the major contributors to the to tal 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalent toxicity in this study. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.