Distribution of methyl sulfone metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p'-DDE in human tissues.

We determined methylsulfonyl metabolites of chlorinated biphenyls (MeSO2-CBs) and 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethene (p,p'-DDE) in human adipose, liver, brain, and lung tissues obtained from 11 Belgian individuals (9-62 years of age). The total concentration of MeSO2-CBs (lipid weight basis) decreased in the following order: liver (mean, 9.30 ng/g; range, 1.68-27.03 ng/g lipid) > lung [mean, 2.72 ng/g; range, not detected (ND) to 11.54 ng/g lipid] > adipose tissue (mean, 1.57 ng/g; range, 0.33-4.33 ng/g lipid) > brain (mean, 0.24 ng/g; range, ND-0.56 ng/g lipid). The profiles of MeSO2-CBs and MeSO2-DDE in each tissue were similar for all 11 subjects. In adipose, brain, and lung tissues, 4'-MeSO2-CB87, 4'-MeSO2-CB101, and 3-MeSO2-CB149 (except brain) occurred at higher concentrations than did other MeSO2-CBs. However, 3'-MeSO2-CB132 was by far the most abundant congener in liver, contributing on average to approximately 60% of the sum of MeSO2-CBs. The concentrations of 3-MeSO2-DDE in different tissues were at the same or lower levels than the total concentrations of MeSO2-CBs. This study suggests that the distribution patterns of MeSO2-CBs and MeSO2-DDE in humans differ between liver and other tissues. Moreover, these profiles differ from those found in other mammals, such as polar bears, porpoises, and otters.