Levels of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in human adipose tissue collected in Ehime prefecture

Human adipose tissue samples were obtained from National Hospital Shikoku Cancer Center in Matsuyama City, Japan, and analyaed for PCBs and organochlorine Pesticides (HCH, HCB, DDT). The levels of PCBs were almost constant from 1973 to 1976 and tended to decrease gradually from 1976 to 1981, ranging from 5.43 to 3.02 ppm. HCH and DDT levels decreased from 1974 to 1976, and remained fairly constant to 1981. Contaminant levels are related to age, sex, and disease state. (JMT)