Polychlorinated biphenyl residues in maternal and cord blood in Tokyo metropolitan area

PCB levels were determined with maternal and cord blood sampled at the time of delivery. All of the twentyfour mothers selected for this experiment are residents to Tokyo Metropolitan area. Gaschromatographic patterns of PCBs in cord blood closely resembled those of mothers. The cord blood in general showed lower PCB levels on both whole and fat basis than those in the maternal blood. No correlation was noticeable on statistical basis as regards the concentrations of PCBs between the cord blood and maternal blood. Our data suggests that the passage of PCBs through the placenta follows general patterns observed in other organochlorine insecticides.