Occurrence of nitro and non-nitro benzenoid musk compounds in human adipose tissue

Nitro benzenoid musk compounds (Musk tibetene [CAS no. 145-39-1], Musk ambrette [83-66-9], Musk moskene [116-66-5], Musk ketone [81-14-1] and Musk xylene [81-15-2]) and non-nitro benzenoid musks (Celestolide® [13171-00-1], Galaxolide® [1222-05-5]) and Fixolide® [1506-02-1] [21445-77-7]) were analysed in 15 human adipose tissue samples from Switzerland by gas chromatography / high resolution mass spectrometry. The levels of Musk xylene and Galaxolide ranged up to 288 ng/g lipids and 171 ng/g lipids, respectively. The concentrations of non-nitro benzenoid musks found in human adipose tissue raise concern since very few toxicological data are available.