[Organohalogen compounds--new and old hazards for people]

Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2010;61(2):109-17.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The organohalogen compounds (OCs, PCBs, PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that have a widespread distribution in the environment. Their chemico-physical stability and lipophylic properties are responsible for their accumulation in the human body. The general human population is exposed to PCBs and OCs through foodstuffs, mainly food of animal origin. However the main source of the human exposure to PBDEs are also food and inhalation of dust or respirable phase of the indoor air The POPs from this group are present on different levels in human tissues (fat tissue, liver; placenta), and even in human blood and breast milk. The organohalogen compounds may cause endocrine disrupting (ED) effects as they have been shown to interact as antagonists or agonists with androgen, progesterone, and estrogen receptors. Most of them shows antiandrogenic, estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Carcinogens, Environmental / metabolism
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Food Contamination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / metabolism*
  • Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / toxicity*
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Carcinogens, Environmental
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Hydrocarbons, Halogenated