Polychlorinated biphenyls contamination in women with breast cancer.

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread highly resistant pollutants in the environment with potential adverse health effects on humans. The aim of the study was to compare PCBs contamination in women suffering from breast cancer with presumably healthy women.

Methods: A gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry method was used to identify and quantify seven PCBs congeners (IUPAC 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153,180) in blood from 60 cases of breast cancer and 60 age-matched healthy controls.

Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in the blood of healthy individuals.

Pesticide use is one of several factors that have permitted maintenance of our supply of food in spite of continuing increase of the population. However, the use of biologically active compounds poses potential problems of toxicity. If the compound is used at any stage of food production, residues or derivatives may persist in food and the entire population may be exposed to the trace amounts of the material.