Association of blood pressure and polychlorinated biphenyl levels

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Abstract
The geometric mean serum level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) of 458 persons in a community-wide study was 17.2 .mu.g/l; 80-90% had levels within the range found in other community groups. As a dependent variable, PCB levels were positively related to age, even when controlled for all other variables associated with PCB level: sex, local fish consumption, obesity, serum cholesterol level and alcohol consumption. No major point source of PCB contamination was found and fish taken in the drainage of a major population center had mean PCB levels below the current enforceable USA-Food and Drug Administration tolerance of 5 mg/kg. As an independent variable, serum PCB levels were positively associated with .gamma.-glutamyl transpeptidase level, serum cholesterol level and measured blood pressure. PCB-blood pressure association, which was independent of age, sex, body mass index and social class, must be confirmed in other exposed populations.