Serum PCB levels in a representative sample of the Spanish adult population: the BIOAMBIENT.ES project.

This manuscript presents the levels of six indicator polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) in the serum of 1880 individuals from a representative sample of the Spanish working population recruited between March 2009 and July 2010. Three out of the six PCBs studied (180, 153 and 138) were quantified in more than 99% of participants. PCB 180 was the highest contributor, followed by PCBs 153 and 138, with relative abundances of 42.6%, 33.2% and 24.2%, respectively. In contrast, PCBs 28 and 52 were detected in only 1% of samples, whereas PCB 101 was detectable in 6% of samples. The geometric mean (GM) for ΣPCBs138/153/180 was 135.4 ng/g lipid (95% CI: 121.3-151.2 ng/g lipid) and the 95th percentile was 482.2 ng/g lipid. Men had higher PCB blood concentrations than women (GMs 138.9 and 129.9 ng/g lipid respectively). As expected, serum PCB levels increased with age and frequency of fish consumption, particularly in those participants younger than 30 years of age. The highest levels we found were for participants from the Basque Country, whereas the lowest concentrations were found for those from the Canary Islands. The Spanish population studied herein had similar levels to those found previously in Greece and southern Italy, lower levels than those in France and central Europe, and higher PCB levels than those in the USA, Canada and New Zealand. This paper provides the first baseline information regarding PCB exposure in the Spanish adult population on a national scale. The results will allow us to establish reference levels, follow temporal trends and identify high-exposure groups, as well as monitor implementation of the Stockholm Convention in Spain.

Los niveles de plomo en sangre en una muestra representativa de la población adulta española: el proyecto BIOAMBIENT. ES / Blood lead levels in a representative sample of the Spanish adult population: The BIOAMBIENT. ES project

Este trabajo proporciona la primera información de referencia a nivel nacional en relación con la exposición al plomo en la población adulta española. Se midieron los niveles de plomo en sangre en una muestra representativa de la población activa española (1880 sujetos entre 18 y 65 años) con el fin de ayudar a establecer los niveles de referencia, seguir tendencias temporales, identificar a grupos de alta exposición y permitir comparaciones con otros países. Todos los participantes completaron un cuestionario epidemiológico que incluía preguntas sobre sexo, edad, sector de actividad, procedencia geográfica, dieta y estilos de vida. La media geométrica de los niveles de plomo en sangre en la población estudiada fue de 24,0 μg/l (IC95% 23,0-25,1 μg/L), siendo los niveles en las mujeres significativamente menores que en los hombres, 19,5 μg/L (18,5-20,5 μg/L) y 28,3 μg/L (26,7-30,0 μg/L), respectivamente. Los niveles medios de plomo en la sangre fueron más altos en los grupos de más edad para ambos sexos. Las mujeres en edad fértil tuvieron niveles en sangre de 18,0 μg/L (GM). El valor de referencia (percentil 95) de plomo en sangre para el conjunto de la población estudiada fue 56,80 μg/L, siendo de 64,00 μg/L, 44,80 μg/L y 36,00 μg/L para hombres, mujeres y mujeres en edad reproductiva, respectivamente. Los trabajadores del sector de servicios tenían niveles de plomo en sangre inferiores a los de los sectores de construcción, agricultura e industria. Se encontraron pequeñas diferencias geográficas, aunque significativas. En comparación con otros países europeos, la población española estudiada presentaba niveles de plomo similares a los hallados en poblaciones de Francia y Bélgica, y niveles ligeramente inferiores a los de poblaciones de Italia, República Checa, Alemania o el Reino Unido

This paper provides the first baseline information on a national scale regarding lead exposure in the Spanish adult population. Blood lead levels were measured in a representative sample of the Spanish working population (1880 subjects aged 18-65 years) in order to help establish reference levels, follow temporal trends, identify high-exposure groups and to enable comparisons with other countries. All participants completed an epidemiological questionnaire including gender, age, occupational sector, geographic area, and dietary and lifestyle information. We found that the geometric mean of blood lead levels in the study population was 24.0 μg/L (95% CI: 23.0-25.1 μg/L), with women having significantly lower levels than men, 19.5 μg/L (18.5-20.5 μg/L) compared to 28.3 μg/L (26.7-30.0 μg/L), respectively. Mean blood lead levels were higher in elder groups in both genders. Women of a childbearing age had blood levels of18.0 μg/L (GM). Reference values (95%) for lead in blood in the studied population was 56.80 μg/L, with 64.00 μg/L, 44.80 μg/L and 36.00 μg/L for man, women and women of childbearing age, respectively. Workers from the service sector had lower blood lead levels than those from the construction, agricultural and industry sectors. Small, although significant, geographical differences had been found. In an European comparison, the Spanish population studied herein had lead levels similar to populations in countries such as France and Belgium, and slightly lower levels than Italian ,Czech, German or UK populations