Serum polychlorinated biphenyls levels in some reproductive aged men in Wuhan and the influencing factors in 2013

Abstract

To measure polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) concentrations in serum of some reproductive aged men in Wuhan and explore the influencing factors of PCBs exposure. Based on a cross-sectional study in 2013 on the association between exposure to environmental pollutants and adverse male reproductive health, which was conducted in Wuhan. Levels of dioxins-like PCBs(dl-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like PCBs(ndl-PCBs) in 101 serum samples of men with childbearing age were analyzed via high-resolution gas chromatograph tandem high-resolution mass spectrometer(HRGC-HRMS) method. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between PCBs levels and influencing factors. Total concentrations of twelve dl-PCBs(Σdl-PCBs) were in range of 177.85-7271.48 pg/g lipid, the median value was 1530.71 pg/g lipid, and CB-118 was the predominant congener. For six ndl-PCBs, total concentrations(Σndl-PCBs) were in range of 1463.23-40561.47 pg/g lipid, the median value was 5498.37 pg/g lipid, and CB-153 was the predominant congener. The World Health Organization toxicity equivalent(WHO_(2005)-TEQ) of dl-PCBs(ΣTEQ_(dl-PCBs)) were 0.02-162.29 pg TEQ/g lipid, the median value was 1.77 pg TEQ/g lipid. The age was positively correlated with Σmono-ortho PCBs(β=0.01, 95%CI 0.00-0.02), ΣTEQ_(mono-ortho PCBs)(β=0.01, 95%CI 0.00-0.02) and Σndl-PCBs(β=0.02, 95%CI 0.00-0.03). Men who drank alcohol tend to show higher exposure to ΣTEQ_(dl-PCBs)(β=0.56, 95%CI 0.13-1.00) than those did not drink alcohol. And higher levels of Σndl-PCBs(β=0.15, 95%CI 0.04-0.26) was found in the men who reside in urban areas as compared to rural one. There were PCBs exposure in some reproductive aged men in Wuhan. Age, drink alcohol status, and residence were influencing factors on PCBs.