Comparative study on the prenatal burden with organochlorine compounds in a rural vs. metropolitan area in Germany

Question. In face of the global distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), regional differences in the human burden with these substances are anticipated and could be demonstrated in animal research as well as in humans in a global context. It was the aim of the pr esent study to investigate whether there are any regional differences in th e prenatal burden with PCBs and HCB in a rural vs. metropolitan area in Ger many. Patients and methods. Each 100 full-term healthy newborns were recruited wh o were born in Fulda and Dusseldorf, respectively, in 1998. A blood sample was taken from each newborn within the first hours of life, in every case b efore the first oral feeding. Six PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) as well as HCB were determined in serum with capillary gaschromatogra phy with ECD-detection. The results of both study groups were tested on mea n differences with Wilcoxon's test for independent samples. Results. There were no statistically significant differences between both s tudy groups with regard to gestational age, birth weight and maternal age. The same applied to the three detectable, higher-chlorinated PCB congeners 138, 153, and 180. Only HCB concentration was significantly higher in the n ewborns from Dusseldorf as compared with those from Fulda (0.26 vs. 0.16 mu g/l). Conclusions. We could not demonstrate evidence for obvious differences in t he prenatal burden with PCBs in two defined regions of Germany today. On th e other hand, neonates born in a metropolitan area have significantly highe r HCB concentrations than newborns from a rural area. Possible explanations for this finding are discussed. It is suggested that these differences wil l be evened out in the next years according to the general decline in the n eonatal burden with these organochlorine compounds in Germany.