Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. (1989)42:195-201 9 1989 Springer-Verlag New York Inc. ~Environmental Contamination ]and Toxicology Organochlorine Residues in Human Adipose Tissue in Spain: Study of an Agrarian Area M. Camps, J. Planas, J. G6mez-Catala.n, M. Sabroso, J. To-Figueras, and J. Corbella U.E.R. Medicina Legal, Laboral i Toxicologia, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova 143 E-08036, Spain The environmental pollution by persistent organo- chlorine residues has received much attention in the last years because of its possible effects on wildlife and human health (Bertram et al. 1985; Splinder 1983). These residues -organochlorine insecticides, hexa- chlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and, in minor levels, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dibenzodioxins (PCDDs)- are accumulated in lipid-rich tissues. Their concentrations in adipose tissues of human populations are the best indices in determining the extent of exposure and in evaluating the hazard. In a previous study on the urban population of Barcelona (Spain) during the years 1982-83, high levels of DDE, DDT, 8-HCH and HCB were determined (To-Figueras et al. 1985); the mean concentration of HCB (5.6 ppm) was among the highest reported in the bibliography. Recently the incidence of HCB in Barcelona has been confirmed by serum determinations (G6mez-CatalAn et al. 1987). Several sources bave been proposed to explain the origin of HCB in the environment: use as a fungi- cide, by-product of industrial chlorination procedures and contaminant of some pesticide formulations (Tobin 1986). In the present paper we have investigated the levels of organochlorine residues -with special concern on HCB- in human adipose tissues from an agrarian area, located at 130 km from Barcelona, mainly devoted to fruit-trees and cereal culture. Results obtained will form part of an up-to-date report on organochlorine pollution in Spain, including several populations of different geographical and socioeconomic characteristics, that wi]l make it possible to identify the sources and trends of this contamination. Send reprint requests to J. Planas at the above address 195