Long-term time trends in human intake of POPs in the Czech Republic indicate a need for continuous monitoring. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bányiová, Katarína; Černá, Milena; Mikeš, Ondřej; Komprdová, Klára; Sharma, Anežka; Gyalpo, Tenzing; Čupr, Pavel; Scheringer, Martin
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 108(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: POPs persistent organic pollutants -- BMI body mass index -- HCB hexachlorobenzene -- HCH hexachlorocyclohexane -- DDT dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane -- DDE dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene -- PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls -- OCPs organochlorine pesticides -- CZ-HBM Czech human biomonitoring -- DDX dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites -- NIPH National Institute of Public Health -- UNEP United Nations Environment Programme -- GMP Global Monitoring Plan -- WHO World Health Organization -- iPCBs indicator polychlorinated biphenyls -- dl-PCBs dioxine-like polychlorinated biphenyls -- EHMS Environmental Health Monitoring System -- SVA State Veterinary Administration; Polychlorinated biphenyls -- Organochlorine pesticides -- Daily intake -- Human biomonitoring -- Toxicokinetic model -- Dietary exposure; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.07.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from the group of persistent organic pollutants are detected in human tissues years or even decades after their ban. Exposure to PCBs and OCPs can pose risks to human health. In the present study, we calculated the daily intakes of PCBs and OCPs in the Czech population and investigated the long-term trends of human exposure to POPs. Data on POP concentrations from a 16-year period of breast-milk monitoring were used. A toxicokinetic model with consideration of compound-specific elimination half-lives was used to calculate the mothers' daily intake of PCBs and OCPs representing the intake of POPs by all exposure routes. The calculated intakes were compared with dietary intakes calculated by the Czech National Institute of Public Health. The comparison shows good agreement of both intake estimates with decreasing intake trends of POPs in the Czech population in the time period studied. However, several fluctuations with peaks of higher levels were observed in both datasets which are not typical for the period after the ban of use and production of POPs. The available evidence suggests that the increases in chemical concentrations might be caused by food contamination. The calculated intakes of compounds with longer elimination half-lives, such as higher-chlorinated PCBs, were higher in older mothers. This "memory effect" was already observed in other studies and indicates higher exposure in earlier life periods of the mother. Our results suggest that exposure to POPs is still relevant for the Czech population in the period after the ban of the use and production of POPs (post-ban period), especially via food ingestion, though the intake trends are decreasing. Possible food contamination by POPs in the post-ban period requires further assessment. Graphical abstract: Highlights: There is still ongoing exposure of the Czech population to PCBs and OCPs. The intake of PCBs and OCPs by the Czech population is mostly decreasing. Intakes calculated from human milk are in good agreement with dietary intake data. Increases in intakes in the post-ban period indicate episodes of food contamination. Higher concentrations in older mothers mark higher exposure in earlier years.