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Individual PCBs as predictors for concentrations of non and mono-ortho PCBs in human milk

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Abstract

32 Dutch human milk samples were analyzed for PCBs with either HRGC-ECD or HRGC-LRMS in the NCI mode. Samples were collected from three different locations in The Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Groningen. Quantitatively, no differences could be observed between the three localities, while in addition the congener specific pattern showed a striking similarity for all individual samples. Only principal component analysis revealed slight individual differences. Based on similarities in the PCB profiles, linear relationships were calculated between 2,3′4,4′,5-PnCB (#118) or 2,2′4,4′5,5′HxCB (#153) and the most relevantnon andmonoortho PCBs exhibiting dioxinlike activity. These PCBs included 2,3,3′,4,4′-PnCB (#105), 3,3′,4,4′5-PnCB (#126) 2,3,3′,4,4′,5-HxCB (#156), 2,3,3′,4,4′,5′-HxCB (#157), 2,3′,4,4′,5,5′-HxCB (#167) and 3,3′,4,4′,5′5-HxCB (#169).

Good linear relationships were observed between individual PCBs. Based on the results of this study, PCB #118 can be used to predict concentrations of the PCBs #105 and #126. PCB #153 can be used as a predictor for the PCBs #156, #157, #167 and #169, but also for the total toxic equivalencies (TEQs) ofnon andmonoortho PCBs present in human milk. This method using certain PCBs as predictors for other toxicological relevant congeners, can be useful and cost effective, e.g. for epidemiological studies. However, before applied a number of conditions should be met. These are:

  1. 1)

    A stable composition of the PCB matrix should be established.

  2. 2)

    A possible time dependent change in composition of the matrix should first be excluded when used over different time periods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Toxicology, University Utrecht, P.O. Box 80.176, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Martin van den Berg, Theo L. Sinnige & A.T.C. Bart Bosveld

  2. Institute of Environmental Chemistry, University of Umeå, S-90187, Umeå, Sweden

    Mats Tysklind

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Hospital, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RG, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Marcel Huisman

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Sophia’s Children’s Hospital and Erasmus University, P.O. Box 70029, 3000, LL Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Corinne Koopmans-Essenboom

  5. Department of Neonatology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Janna G. Koppe

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  1. Martin van den Berg
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  2. Theo L. Sinnige
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  4. A.T.C. Bart Bosveld
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  5. Marcel Huisman
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  6. Corinne Koopmans-Essenboom
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Additional information

This research project was supported by The Dutch Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and the Environment. Grant no. 361359.

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van den Berg, M., Sinnige, T.L., Tysklind, M. et al. Individual PCBs as predictors for concentrations of non and mono-ortho PCBs in human milk. Environ. Sci. & Pollut. Res. 2, 73–82 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02986720

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02986720

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