Comparative aspects of congener specific PCB metabolism

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Abstract
Despite the large number of PCB congeners identified (in some environmental samples more man 70 isomers and congeners) only some 12 of them account for 80% of the total PCB adipose tissue burden. These compounds are a selective group of PCBs which are highly chlorinated or alternatively lack meta-para-vicinal protons. Comparison of the persistent and non-persistent PCB congeners between human adipose tissue, human breast milk and fish-eating sea birds revealed similarities in the bioaccumulation pattern. These findings suggest a certain inability of cytochrome P-450 mono-oxygenases to metabolise a specific group of PCBs.