Recent Advances in the Analysis of PCBs and Pesticides in Human Adipose Tissue

Abstract

Due to their bioaccumulative and persistent nature, determination of PCB and organochlorine pesticide levels in human adipose tissue can be a useful biological indicator of exposure. The analytical methods previously used are relatively tedious, labor intensive and not readily amenable to automation. We have combined the use of sweep codistillation cleanup [1] and high resolution gas chromatography with automated on-column injection to efficiently process and quantitate levels of these compounds in fat samples.