Serum concentrations of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, furans and PCBs, among former phenoxy herbicide production workers and firefighters in New Zealand

Abstract

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Determinants of the serum concentrations were assessed using linear regression. Results The 60 men who had worked in the phenoxy/ TCP production area had a mean TCDD serum concentration of 19.1 pg/g lipid, three times the mean concentration of the 141 men and 43 women employed in other parts of the plant (6.3 and 6.0 pg/g respectively), and more than 10 times the mean for the firefighters (1.6 pg/g). Duration of employment in phenoxy herbicide synthesis, maintenance work, and work as a boilerman, chemist, and packer were associated with increased serum concentrations of TCDD and 1,2,3,4,7-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PeCDD). Employment as a boilerman was also associated with elevated serum concentrations of PCBs. AbstractPurpose To quantify serum concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and dioxin-like compounds in former phenoxy herbicide production plant workers and firefighters, 20 years after 2,4,5-T production ceased. Methods Of 1025 workers employed any time during [1969][1970][1971][1972][1973][1974][1975][1976][1977][1978][1979][1980][1981][1982][1983][1984] 430 were randomly selected and invited to take part in a morbidity survey and provide a blood sample; 244 (57 %) participated. Firefighters stationed in close proximity of the plant and/or engaged in call-outs to the plant between 1962 and 1987 also participated (39 of 70 invited). Reported here are the serum concentrations of TCDD and other chlorinated dibenzo-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and Conclusions Occupations in the plant associated with phenoxy herbicide synthesis had elevated levels of TCDD and PeCDD. Most other people working within the plant, and the local firefighters, had serum concentrations of dioxin-like compounds comparable to those of the general population.

Sex ratio of the offspring of New Zealand phenoxy herbicide producers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

“…This is comparable to, but not as low as, the sex ratios reported for Seveso or the Russian pesticide producers (table 5), for whom TCDD exposures were generally higher than in the New Zealand producers 9…”

“…Of these, 430 were randomly selected and invited to participate in a morbidity survey, and 244 completed the survey. During 2007/2008, the participants provided blood for the determination of TCDD serum concentrations of which detailed results have been reported elsewhere 9. During a face-to-face interview, participants were asked to provide details on all of their live-born or stillborn biological children, including sex, name, date and place of birth.…”

“…Individual serum concentrations of TCDD at the time of phlebotomy were back-calculated to the time of the birth of the child by using a first-order elimination model9 and a half-life of 7.6 years, which was determined based on the Ranch Hand Veteran population,10 of which TCDD serum levels were found to be similar to the population studied here 9. Overall, the cohort had a mean serum TCDD concentration of 9 pg/g, which back-calculated to 1987, the last year of 2,4,5-T production in this plant, would have been 49 pg/g.…”

“…Here we report on the sex ratio of the offspring of male and female workers employed at a phenoxy herbicide production plant in New Plymouth, New Zealand between 1969 and 1984,8 for whom individual TCDD serum concentration were determined in 2007/2008 (serum concentrations of TCDD of this population have been reported previously9). …”

Cancer incidence and mortality among firefighters

“…The exposure of firefighters to these carcinogens was supported by analysis of their blood and urine profiles. Studies reported high levels of dioxin‐like compounds in the blood of firefighters compared to those of the general population . Urine analyses have found elevated levels of 1‐hydroxynaphthalene and 1‐hydroxyacenaphthene (the predominant metabolites of PAHs), and indicators of exposure to benzophenone‐3, bisphenol‐A, triclosan and methylparaben in active firefighters.…”