Chapter 16 Persistent Organic Pollutants and Adverse Health Effects in Humans in Singapore

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Abstract Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are man-made chemicals that have an intrinsic resistance to natural degradation processes, and are therefore environmentally persistent. The introduction of POPs into the environment from anthropogenic activities has resulted in their widespread dispersal and accumulation in soils and water bodies, as well as human and ecological food chains where they are known to induce toxic effects. Due to their ubiquity in the environment and lipophilic properties, there is mounting concern over the potential risks of human exposure to POPs. This has led to the establishment of a worldwide research program to determine prevailing levels of POPs in the population and investigate the health risks associated with background exposure. This paper reviews the state of knowledge regarding residual levels of POPs in human adipose tissue worldwide, and provides preliminary data on the levels of key POPs in female adipose tissues collected in Singapore. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were found to be comparable to levels reported for Poland in 2001, with a mean of 0.98 μg g −1 (or 0.84 μg g −1 on a lipid weight basis). For total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, the mean concentration of 34 ng g −1 (lipid weight basis) is lower than values reported from Japan in 1980 and Belgium in 2000. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are present at similar levels to Belgium in 2000, at 3.7 (or 4.7 ng g −1 lipid weight basis).