Halogenated hydrocarbons and aryl hydrocarbons identified in human tissues
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abstract
Human populations are continually exposed to thousands of man-made chemicals which contaminate every component of our ecosystem (food, air, water). Most of these chemicals are present in low concentrations and may be non-toxic; moreover, low level exposure to most environmental toxins may not be harmful due to their rapid detoxification by the drug-metabolizing enzymes. The data summarized in the present paper indicate that human populations are exposed to relatively low levels of halogenated hydrocarbons. Since these compounds are not rapidly metabolized and persist in some human tissues for months or years the integrated total exposure to each individual chemical may be significant. Some of the important research and analytical problems which must be addressed are summarized below: 1) Standardized population surveys of halogenated hydrocarbons in humans using similar analytical methodologies should be initiated at several locations throughout the world. These surveys should include routine residue analysis of tissue from the deceased and analysis of halogenated hydrocarbons in blood. 2) The toxic effects of low exposures to individual halogenated hydrocarbons and appropriate mixtures on mammals and mammalian cell cultures should be investigated. In vivo studies should focus on the toxicity of these compounds to neonates since it is apparent that breast-feeding is a major route of exposure to these chemicals. 3) The combined effects of low level exposure to halogenated hydrocarbon mixtures and selected environmental toxins (e.g., benzo(a)pyrene, aflatoxin, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride) should also be investigated. 4) The toxic effects of chronic exposure to higher levels of specific halogenated hydrocarbons such as the PCBs should also be evaluated since thousands of workers have been exposed to higher levels of this commercial mixture.
