Logo image
Serum polychlorinated biphenyls and their hydroxylated metabolites are associated with demographic and behavioral factors in children and mothers
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Serum polychlorinated biphenyls and their hydroxylated metabolites are associated with demographic and behavioral factors in children and mothers

Wen Xin Koh, Keri C Hornbuckle, Kai Wang and Peter S Thorne
Environment International, Vol.94, pp.538-545
09/2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.06.014
PMCID: PMC4980156
PMID: 27352881
url
https://doaj.org/article/66edf7f829df43e98c79c2e5e62058c1View
Open Access

Abstract

Factors contributing to the inter-individual variation in body burden of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs) have not been fully elucidated. We examined associations between total serum concentrations of 209 PCBs, 64 OH-PCBs, and frequently detected individual congeners with demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity and community of residence), body mass index (BMI or BMI percentile), and breastfeeding history in children and their mothers from 83 U.S. households. There was a significant positive association between age and concentrations of total PCBs and OH-PCBs in mothers. Non-Hispanics had significantly higher concentrations of total PCBs in mothers and OH-PCBs in children than Hispanics. Concentrations of total PCBs were significantly lower in mothers who had longer breastfeeding duration. Living in the Columbus Junction, Iowa community as compared to East Chicago, Indiana was associated with higher total PCBs in children, probably attributable to higher exposures at school. Lower concentrations of OH-PCBs were significantly associated with a higher BMI percentile in children. Congener-specific associations were observed for 30 PCB and 12 OH-PCB congeners and followed comparable trends. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine factors contributing to variations in serum concentrations of total 209 PCBs and total OH-PCBs in children, as well as to examine ethnic differences in OH-PCB levels. Results from this study revealed that demographic characteristics, body mass index and breastfeeding history are factors that should be considered for human exposure and risk assessment of PCBs and OH-PCBs. •Analysis of 209 serum PCBs and 64 OH-PCBs yielded significant exposure risk factors.•PCB and OH-PCB body burdens were significantly associated with age in mothers.•Breastfeeding lowered some PCB congeners in mothers but increased them in children.•Non-Hispanic mothers had higher PCBs and children had higher OH-PCBs than Hispanics.•Lower OH-PCB levels were associated with higher body mass percentile in children.
Epidemiology Polychlorinated biphenyls Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls Body mass index Lactation Risk assessment ISRP Project 6 2015-2020 Analytical Core Synthesis Core

Details

Logo image