Serum levels of organochlorine pesticides in the general population of Thessaly, Greece, determined by HS-SPME GC-MS method

In this study, exposure levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) were determined in general population residing in Larissa, central Greece. Serum samples from 103 volunteers were analyzed by optimized headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, to detect and quantify OC levels. The most frequently detected analytes were p,p′-DDE (frequency 99%, median:1.25 ng/ml) and Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (frequency 69%, median: 0.13 ng/ml). Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship of p,p′-DDE and HCB levels with age.