[Chlordane accumulations in adipose tissue of mice chronically exposed to chlordanes in indoor air].

Chlordane concentrations were analyzed in the adipose tissue of mice after prolonged inhalation of low levels of chlordanes in indoor air. After inhalation of 4.22-11.36 micrograms/m3 chlordanes (total of 5 compounds) in air for 1-6 months, high levels of chlordanes (4.19-11.63 ppm, total of 5 compounds and 2 metabolites) were found in the adipose tissue. Transnanochlor, which accounted for only 14% of the total chlordane in the inhaled air, showed a high percentage (50%) in the adipose tissue, followed by 2 metabolites, i.e., oxychlordane (25%) and heptachlorepoxide (22%). Little transchlordane, cis-chlordane, or heptachlor, which accounted for high percentages of the total chlordane inhaled, was detected in the adipose tissue. A low level of cis-nonachlor was observed in the adipose tissue, and its percentage was similar to that in the air (2%). The level of chlordane exposure and the adipose tissue chlordane concentration was closely correlated (r = 0.9077, p < 0.01), showed a dose-effect relationship. These findings suggest that chlordanes such as trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, and heptachlorepoxide may accumulate in the adipose tissue of people living in an environment containing even low levels of chlordanes and that there is a risk from indoor air contamination by chlordanes.