Serum level of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and blood pressure in primary school children

Exposure to dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) has been linked to blood pressure changes in adult populations. However, limited research has explored the impact of DL-PCB exposure on BP in children, a vulnerable population undergoing critical developmental stages. This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to DL-PCBs and blood pressure in primary school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2023 and 2024 involving 5240 children aged 7-10 years. Serum levels of 12 DL-PCB congeners were assessed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Statistical analysis included multivariable linear regression, stratified by sex, and mixture analysis using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR), generalized quantile g-computation (g-comp), and generalized weighted quantile sum regression (gWQS). In the linear regression analysis, several congeners (PCB77, PCB81, PCB118, PCB126, PCB167, PCB169) were significantly associated with increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the adjusted models. Specifically, PCB81, PCB126, PCB167, and PCB169 were associated with higher PP, and PCB77, PCB81, PCB118, PCB126, PCB167, and PCB169 were linked to higher MAP. The associations were generally stronger in boys. The mixture analyses confirmed the non-linear and interactive effects of DL-PCB exposure on BP indicators, with cumulative exposure showing a significant impact on both SBP and MAP ( for MAP: g-comp (β = 1.707, 95 % CI: 1.129, 2.285; p < 0.001) and gWQS (β = 1.195, 95 % CI: 0.555, 1.836; p < 0.001)). Overall, exposure to DL-PCBs was linked to elevated blood pressure in primary school children, especially for specific congeners, emphasizing potential cardiovascular risks and the need for further research on long-term effects.