Persistent chlorinated cyclodiene compounds in ringed seal blubber, polar bear fat, and human plasma from Northern Quebec, Canada: identification and concentrations of photoheptachlor

The presence of photoheptachlor and other chlorinated cyclodiene compounds in biological samples from Northern Quebec, Canada, was examined. Results revealed that human plasma and seal blubber contained similar concentrations of chlordane, while in bear fat, the amount was up to six times higher. Total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentration in humans was ten times higher than that in seal blubber, while PCB concentration in bear fat was double that of humans. Photoheptachlor comprised 3.4% of total chlordane detected in polar bears, where it is more significant compared to humans or seals.