[Persistent organic pollutants and atherosclerosis. Are there sufficient facts to draw the ultimate conclusions]

In recent years, there has been a growing number of scientific publications examining the role of environmental factors, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in the development of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis associated diseases. POPs are synthetic lipophilic toxic compounds which are resistant to degradation in the environment and capable of bioaccumulation in the human body. A direct association between exposure to POPs and clinical and laboratory manifestations of atherosclerosis have been reported in a number of studies conducted since the early 1980s. In this article, we summarize published results of epidemiologic studies conducted in occupational and general populations as well as results of experimental studies conducted on laboratory animals. We discuss the lack of consistency in some findings and the necessity to further investigate the problem of POPs and atherosclerosis.