Sources of persistent organic pollutants:
(1) occupational exposure
(2) environmental contamination
(3) meat in diet
Types of persistent organic pollutants include:
(1) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
(2) octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) and other dioxins
(3) hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
(4) trans-nonachlor (TNC)
(5) bromodiphenyl ether (BDE)
(6) 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichlorethene (p,p’-DDE)
(7) hexachlorocyclohexane
(8) halogenated hydrocarbons
Risk factors for complications:
(1) older and obese, with accumulation of large amounts of POPs over a lifetime
(2) rapid weight loss with sudden release into the circulation
(3) drugs or diseases that interfere with metabolism and clearance (renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, etc)
