Comparison of POP Accumulation Between Human Organs, Tissues, and Organ Systems with Focus on Sex-Related Differences: First Investigations in Russia

The present study aimed to consider the accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in various human organs and tissues with focus on sex-related differences. POPs were determined in samples of organs and tissue systems from a man (63 years of age) and a woman (57 years of age). The concentration ranges of OCPs (∑HCH + ∑DDT) and PCBs were 14.6–1398.1 (with an average of 254.3 ± 7.8) and 42.4–359.2 (198.0 ± 6.7) ng/g lipid weight, respectively. The ∑HCH and ∑DDT concentrations ranged within 1.1–1295.6 and 0–472.5 ng/g, with average values of 172.5 ± 49.9 and 81.7 ± 18.8 ng/g, respectively. ∑HCH in the man's organs amounted to 221.7 ± 66.1 ng/g; in the woman's organs, to 250.9 ± 49.9 ng/g. As our study showed, the main organs and tissues accumulating the major part of POPs are the blood, hair, spleen, liver, and brain.