Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Human Adipose Tissue and Breast Milk Collected in Hong Kong

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Contamination from persistent organic pollutants is a pervasive global problem that urgently demands global concern and action. In the present study, concentrations of organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in 37 samples of female adipose tissue collected in Hong Kong hospitals. Among the pollutants analyzed, DDTs (2.79 ng/g fat), HCHs (0.72 ng/g fat), and PCBs (0.19 ng/g fat) were prominent compounds in most of the adipose tissue. p,p′-DDE and hexachlorinated biphenyls were found in all samples, whereas heptachlor epoxide and dieldrin were found only in some samples. An estimation of toxic equivalency concentration (TEQ) due to dioxin-like coplanar PCBs was also performed. The estimated TEQPCBs was 2.01 pg/g fat. This study also compared our previous results obtained from the milk samples of the same donors. Significant correlations are obtained for DDTs and HCHs between milk and adipose tissue. Detailed review of available information concerning OC pesticides and PCBs in different ecological compartments indicated that bioconcentration and biomagnification of these contaminants are common phenomena of the Pearl River Delta region, which has undergone rapid socioeconomic change in the past 20 years. It is suggested to establish a regional organization in order to coordinate the monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in the region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • E Abad JJ Llerena J Saulo J Caixach J Rivera (2002) ArticleTitleStudy on PCDDs/PCDFs and co-PCBs content in food samples from Catalonia (Spain) Chemosphere 46 1435–1441 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(01)00247-8 Occurrence Handle12002473

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ANZEC, Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (2000) Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality. National Water Quality Management Strategy, Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand

  • S Archibeque-Eagle JD Tessari DT Winn (1996) ArticleTitleQuality assurance/quality control procedures for chlorinated hydrocarbons in human breast adipose tissue J Toxicol Environ Health 49 589–598 Occurrence Handle10.1080/009841096160646 Occurrence Handle8977626

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S Archibeque-Eagle JD Tessari DT Winn (1997) ArticleTitleComparison of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in human breast adipose tissue and serum J Toxicol Environ Health 52 285–293 Occurrence Handle10.1080/009841097159584 Occurrence Handle9354175

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O Berglund P Larsson G Ewald L Okla (2000) ArticleTitleBioaccumulation and differential partitioning of polychlorinated biphenyls in freshwater, plankton food webs Can J Fish Aqua Sci 57 1160–1168 Occurrence Handle10.1139/cjfas-57-6-1160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K Borga GW Gabrielsen JU Skaare (2001) ArticleTitleBiomagnification of organochlorines along Barents sea food chain Environ Pollut 113 187–198 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0269-7491(00)00171-8 Occurrence Handle11383336

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • HM Chan KM Chan M Dickman (1999) ArticleTitleOrganochlorines in Hong Kong fish Mar Pollut Bull 39 346–351 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-326X(99)00011-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JW Choi Y Miyabara S Hashimoto M Morita (2002) ArticleTitleComparison of PCDD/F and coplanar PCB concentrations in Japanese human adipose tissue collected in 1970–1971, 1994–1996 and 2000 Chemosphere 47 591–597 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00008-5 Occurrence Handle12047070

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DW Connell RSS Wu BJ Richardson K Leung PSK Lam PA Connell (1998) ArticleTitleFate and risk evaluation of persistent organic contaminants and related compounds in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Chemosphere 36 2019–2030 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(97)10087-X Occurrence Handle9532729

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • CSD, Census and Statistics Department (1999–2000) Hong Kong trade statistics — import, Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong

  • F Diaz-Barriga V Borja-Aburto S Waliszewski L Yanez (2003) DDT in Mexico. In The handbook of environmental chemistry vol. 3, Part O — persistent organic pollutants Springer-Verlag Berlin, Heideberg 372–399

    Google Scholar 

  • JE Elliott RJ Norstrom JA Keith (1988) ArticleTitleOrganochlorines and eggshell thinning in northern gannets (Sula bassanus) from eastern Canada, 1968—1984 Environ Pollut 52 81–102 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0269-7491(88)90083-8 Occurrence Handle15092609

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • EPD, Environmental Protection Department (1998) Marine water quality in Hong–1997. Water Policy and Planning Group, EPD, Hong Kong Government

  • JF Focant G Eppe C Pirard AC Massart JE Andre E Pauw ParticleDe (2002) ArticleTitleLevels and cogener distributions of PCDDs, PCDFs and non-ortho PCBs in Belgian foodstuffs assessment of dietary intake Chemosphere 48 167–179 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00104-2 Occurrence Handle12117051

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • GM Frame JW Cochran SS Boewadt (1996) ArticleTitleComplete PCB congener distributions for 17 Aroclor mixtures determined by 3 HRGC systems optimized for comprehensive, quantitative, congener-specific analysis J High Resol Chromatogr 19 657–668 Occurrence Handle10.1002/jhrc.1240191202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E Grimvall L Rylander P Nilsson-Ehle U Nilsson U Stromberg L Hagmar C Ostman (1997) ArticleTitleMonitoring of polychlorinated biphenyls in human blood plasma: methodological developments and influence of age, lactation and fish consumption Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 32 329–336 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002449900193 Occurrence Handle9096084

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • H Hong L Xu L Zhang JC Chen YS Wong TSM Wan (1995) ArticleTitleEnvironmental fate and chemistry of organic pollutants in the sediment of Xiamen and Victoria harbours Mar Pollut Bull 31 229–236 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0025-326X(95)00115-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HMH Ip (1990) ArticleTitleChlorinated pesticides in foodstuffs in Hong Kong Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 19 291–296 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01056099 Occurrence Handle2322022

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • HMH Ip DJH Phillips (1989) ArticleTitleOrganochlorine chemicals in human breast milk in Hong Kong Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 18 490–494 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01055014 Occurrence Handle2774666

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • A Kamarianos EG Iosifidou C Batzios IE Psomas S Kilikidis (1997) ArticleTitleResidues of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in human adipose tissue in Greece Fresenius Environ Bull 6 383–389

    Google Scholar 

  • YS Kang M Matsuda M Kawano T Wakimoto BY Min (1997) ArticleTitleOrganochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in human adipose tissue from western Kyungnam, Korea, Chemosphere 35 2107–2117 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(97)00289-0 Occurrence Handle9375352

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LW Kanja JU Skaare SBO Ojwang CK Maitai (1992) ArticleTitleA comparison of organochlorine pesticide residues in maternal adipose tissue, maternal blood, cord blood and human milk from mother/infant pairs Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 22 21–24 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00213297 Occurrence Handle1554250

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SK Kurunthachalam K Kurunthachalam NP Odathurai PSS Vellakovil N Junko M Shigeki (2001) ArticleTitlePolychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls in human tissues, meat, fish and wildlife samples from India Environ Sci Technol 35 3488–3455 Occurrence Handle10.1021/es010579g Occurrence Handle11563651

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Y Liang MH Wong RBE Shutes DM Revitt (1999) ArticleTitleEcological risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in the Mai Po marshes nature reserve, Hong Kong Water Res 33 1337–1346 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0043-1354(98)00353-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BG Loganathan K Kannan (1994) ArticleTitleGlobal organochlorine contamination trends: an overview Ambio 23 187–191

    Google Scholar 

  • BG Loganathan S Tanabe Y Hidaka M Kawano H Hidaka R Tatsukawa (1993) ArticleTitleTemporal trends of persistent organochlorine residues in human adipose tissue from Japan, 1928–1985 Environ Pollut 81 31–39 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0269-7491(93)90025-J Occurrence Handle15091834

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • RA Lordo KT Dinh JG Schwemberger (1996) ArticleTitleSemivolatile organic compounds in adipose tissue: estimated averages for the US population and selected subpopulations Am J Pub Health 86 1253–1259 Occurrence Handle8806377

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • A Lundén K Norén (1998) ArticleTitlePolychlorinated naphthalenes and other organochlorine contaminants in Swedish human milk, 1987–1992 Arch Environ Contam 34 414–423 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002449900338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BX Mai JM Fu GY Sheng YH Kang Z Lin G Zhang YS Min EY Zeng (2002) ArticleTitleChlorinated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in riverine and estuarine sediments from Pearl River Delta, China Environ Pollut 117 457–474 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00193-2 Occurrence Handle11911529

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malisch R, van Leeuwen FXR (2003) Results of the third round of the WHO-Coordinated Exposure Study on the Levels of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs in Human Milk. DIOXIN 2003, World Health Organization

  • M Mariottini C Guerranti S Aurigi I Corsi S Focardi (2002) ArticleTitlePesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls residues in human adipose tissue Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 68 72–78 Occurrence Handle11731834

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • TB Minh M Watanabe H Nakata S Tanabe TA Jefferson (1999) ArticleTitleContamination by persistent organochlorines in small cetaceans from Hong Kong coastal waters Mar Pollut Bull 39 383–392 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-326X(99)00066-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TB Minh M Watanabe S Tababe T Yamada J Hata S Watanabe (2000) ArticleTitleOccurrence of Tris (4-chlorophenyl) methane, Tris (4-chlorophenyl) methanol and some other persistence organochlorines in Japanese human adipose tissues Environ Health Perspect 108 599–603 Occurrence Handle10903611

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • I Monirith D Ueno S Takahashi H Nakata A Sudaryanto A Subramanian S Karuppiah A Ismail M Muchtar J Zheng BJ Richardson M Prudente ND Hue TS Tana AV Tkalin S Tanabe (2003) ArticleTitleAsia-Pacific mussel watch: monitoring contamination of persistent organochlorine compounds in coastal waters of Asian countries Mar Pollut Bull 46 281–300 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-326X(02)00400-9 Occurrence Handle12604061

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • H Nakata M Kawazoe K Arizono S Abe T Kitano H Shimada W Li X Ding (2002) ArticleTitleOrganochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in foodstuffs and human tissue from China: Status of contamination, historical trend and human dietary exposure Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 43 473–480 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00244-002-1254-8 Occurrence Handle12399919

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • K Norén (1983) ArticleTitleLevels of organochlorine contaminations inhuman milk in relation to the dietary habits of the mothers Acta Paaediatr Scand 72 811–816

    Google Scholar 

  • M Ott K Failing U Lang SH Schurbring HJ Gent S Georgii H Brunn (1999) ArticleTitleContamination of human milk in middle Hesse, Germany–a cross-sectional study on the changing levels of chlorinated pesticides, PCB congeners and recent levels of nitro musks Chemosphere 38 293–297 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(98)00165-9 Occurrence Handle10901656

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ECM Parsons HM Chan R Kinoshita (1999) ArticleTitleTrace metal and organochlorine concentrations in a Pygmy Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) from the South China Sea Mar Pollut Bull 38 51–55 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-326X(98)00092-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Pauwels A Covaci J Weyler L Delbeke M Dhont P Suttler ParticleDe D Hooghe PJC Schepens (2000) ArticleTitleComparison of persistent organic pollutants residues in serum and adipose tissue in a female population in Belgium. 1996–1998 Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 39 265–270 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002440010104 Occurrence Handle10871430

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C Rappe (1992) ArticleTitleDietary exposure and human levels of PCDDs and PCDFs Chemosphere 25 231–234 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0045-6535(92)90521-R

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BJ Richardson GJ Zheng (1999) ArticleTitleChlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in Hong Kong surfacial sediments Chemosphere 6 913–923 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(99)00041-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritter L, Solomon KR, Forget J, Stemeroff M, O’Leart C (1995) Persistent organic pollutants assessment report. Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemical, The International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS)

  • PE Robinson GA Mack J Remmers R Levy L Mohadjer (1990) ArticleTitleTrends of PCBs, hexachlorobenzene and β-benzene hexachloride levels in the adipose tissue of the US population Environ Res 53 175–192 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80118-5 Occurrence Handle1701383

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S Safe (1992) ArticleTitlePCBs, PCDD/F and related compound: environmental and mechanistic considerations which support the development of toxic equivalency factors CRC Crit Rev Toxicol 21 51–88

    Google Scholar 

  • S Safe (1995) ArticleTitleDevelopment and validation of the toxic equivalency (TEF) approach for the risk assessment of PCBs Organohalogen Comp 22 131–141

    Google Scholar 

  • JU Skaare JM Tuveng HA Sande (1988) ArticleTitleOrganochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in maternal adipose tissue, blood, milk and cord blood from mothers and their infants living in Norway Arch Environ Contain Toxicol 17 55–63 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01055154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A Smeds P Saukko (2001) ArticleTitleIdentification and quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls and some endocrine disrupting pesticides in human adipose tissue from Finland Chemosphere 44 1463–1471 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(00)00313-1 Occurrence Handle11513126

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SD Soechitram SM Chan EAS Nelson A Brouwer PJJ Sauer (2003) ArticleTitleComparison of dioxin and PCB concentrations in human breast milk samples from Hong Kong and the Netherlands Food Add Contam 20 65–69 Occurrence Handle10.1080/0265203021000031528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameSRC, Syracuse Research Corporation (1987) Toxicological profiles for selected PCBs. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry US Public Health Service Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • NFY Tam MWY Yao (2002) ArticleTitleConcentrations of PCBs in coastal mangrove sediments of Hong Kong Mar Pollut Bull 44 642–651 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-326X(01)00306-X Occurrence Handle12222887

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S Tanabe T Mori R Tatsukawa N Miyazaki (1983) ArticleTitleGlobal pollution of marine mammals of PCBs, DDTs and HCHs (BHCs) Chemosphere 12 1269–1275 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0045-6535(83)90132-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CC Travis H Hattermer-Frey AD Arms (1988) ArticleTitleRelationship between dietary intake of organic chemicals and their concentrations in human adipose tissue and breast milk Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 17 473–478 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01055512 Occurrence Handle3044283

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • AG Trowbridge DL Swackhamer (2002) ArticleTitlePreferential biomagnifications of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase-inducing polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in the Lake Michigan, USA, lower food web Environ Toxicol Chem 21 334–341 Occurrence Handle10.1897/1551-5028(2002)021<0334:PBOAHH>2.0.CO;2 Occurrence Handle11833802

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • T Tsutsumi T Yanagi M Nakamura Y Kono H Uchibe T Iida T Hori R Nakagawa K Tobiishi R Matsuda K Sasaki M Toyoda (2001) ArticleTitleUpdate of daily intake of PCDDs, PCDFs, and dioxin-like PCBs from food in Japan Chemosphere 45 1129–1137 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-6535(01)00151-5 Occurrence Handle11695626

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameUSEPA (1996a) Florisil cleanup. Solid waste analysis SW-846 United States Environmental Protection Agency USA

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameUSEPA 3640 (1996b) Gel permeation chromatography. Solid waste analysis SW-846 United States Environmental Protection Agency USA

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (2003) National primary drinking water standards. USA

  • M Berg ParticleVan den L Birnbaum ATC Bosveld B Brunstroem P Cook M Feeley JP Giesy A Hanberg R Hasegawa SW Kennedy T Kubiak JC Larsen FXR Leeuwen ParticleVan (1997) ArticleTitleToxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for humans and wildlife Environ Health Perspect 106 775–792

    Google Scholar 

  • SM Waliszewski AA Aguirre RM Infanzon CS Silva J Siliceo (2001) ArticleTitleOrganochlorine pesticide levels in maternal adipose tissue, maternal blood serum, umbilical blood serum and milk from inhabitants of Veracruz, Mexico Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 40 432–438 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002440010194 Occurrence Handle11443377

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameWHO, World Health Organization (1979) Environmental health criteria, no. 9 DDT and its derivations WHO Geneva, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • CKC Wong HY Yeung RYH Cheung KKL Yung MH Wong (2000) ArticleTitleEcotoxicological assessment of persistent organic and heavy metal contamination in Hong Kong coastal sediment Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 38 486–493 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002449910064 Occurrence Handle10787100

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • CKC Wong KM Leung BHT Poon CY Lan MH Wong (2002) ArticleTitleOrganochlorine hydrocarbons in human breast milk collected in Hong Kong and Guangzhou Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 43 364–372 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00244-002-1210-7 Occurrence Handle12202934

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MH Wong BHT Poon (2002) Sources, fates and effects of persistent organic pollutants in China, with emphasis on the Pearl River Delta H Fiedler (Eds) persistent organic pollutants Springer Heidelberg 355–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong MH, Choi K, Grosheva E, Sakai S, Shibata Y, Suzuki N, Wang J, Zhou H, Leung A (2002) Regionally based assessment of persistent toxic substances. Regional report. Central and North East Asia. Global Environment Facility/United Nations Environment Program

  • YH Yang GY Sheng JM Fu YS Min (1997) ArticleTitleOrganochlorinated compounds in waters of the Pearl River Delta region Environ Monit Assess 44 569–575 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1005743932046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G Zhang YS Min BX Mai GY Sheng JM Fu ZS Wang (1999) ArticleTitleTime trend of BHCs and DDTs in a sedimentary core in Macao Estuary, Southern China Mar Pollut Bull 39 326–330 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-326X(99)00010-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Z Zhang M Dai H Hong JL Zhou G Yu (2002) ArticleTitleDissolved insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in the Pearl River Estuary and South China Sea J Environ Monit 4 922–928 Occurrence Handle10.1039/b206891p Occurrence Handle12509046

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou HY, Wong MH (2003) Screening of organochlorines in freshwater fish collected from the Pearl River Delta, People’s Republic of China. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 46:106–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HY Zhou RYH Cheung MH Wong (1999) ArticleTitleResidues of organochlorines in sediments and tilapia collected from inland water systems of Hong Kong Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 36 424–431 Occurrence Handle10227862

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, Canossa Hospital, Caritas Hospital, Hong Kong Sanitarium Hospital and Union Hospital for the provision of samples and Angela Wong for technical support, This work was supported by Group Research–Central Allocation of the Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee of Hong Kong (No. HKBU-2/00 C).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences, and Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, PR China

    B H T Poon, C K C Wong & M H Wong

  2. In Vitro Fertilization Center, Hong Kong, PR China

    C K M Leung

Authors
  1. B H T Poon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C K M Leung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C K C Wong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M H Wong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M H Wong.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Poon, B.H.T., Leung, C.K.M., Wong, C.K.C. et al. Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Human Adipose Tissue and Breast Milk Collected in Hong Kong. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 49, 274–282 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0111-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0111-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation