PCB residues in the adipose tissue of the population of Barcelona (Spain)

PCBs pattern and concentration in the adipose tissue of the inhabitants of an urban and industrial area, Barcelona, Spain, were determined. Specimens of abdominal apidase tissue from 55 necropsies were removed and frozen. Their ages ranged from nine to 95. The sample consisted of 28 males and 27 females. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Quantitation was done by calibration against Aroclor 1260 (Supelco) with Aldrin as internal standard. Specific quantitation of individual cogeners was also done. Both quantification methods produced slightly different results, but an excellent correlation between them was found. No significant differences in whole PCBs concentration were found between males and females. There was some correlation between PCBs concentration and age. The scattering plot showed that correlation was produced by the low PCBs levels of individuals younger than 35 years of age, whereas levels in older population were more dispersed and uncorrelated.