Hexachlorobenzene in blood plasma of students from Münster

Significant decrease in hexachlorobenzene burdens since the 1980s

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is very persistent. It is highly bioaccumulative and enriches in the food web.
Since the early 1980s, hexachlorobenzene pesticides are banned in Germany. The effectiveness of the ban is reflected in the blood plasma concentrations of students from Münster: since the mid 1980s contamination has decreased significantly.

In 2010 only traces of HCB could be detected in samples of the Environmental Specimen Bank. Thus the routinely analysis of HCB in blood plasma samples was suspended.

Significant decrease in hexachlorobenzene burdens since the 1980s
Fig. 1: Hexachlorobenzene in blood plasma of students from Münster
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Updated at: 2022-01-11

 

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Specimen

  • Blood plasma
    Ideal matrix for most chemicals because it is in contact with the whole organism and in equilibrium with the organs and tissues in that chemicals are being accumulated

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Analytes

Sampling area