Brominated and chlorinated dioxin blood levels in a chemist 34 years after exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin and 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzodioxin

Abstract

This paper reports, for the first time, 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzodioxin (TBDD) detected in human tissue, a new potential health hazard for dioxin chemists. The patient had a co-existing, but much lower elevation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD). The exposure thirty-four years ago caused acute illness and hospitalization at that time. The chemist had synthesized 20 to 30 grams of TCDD and a similar amount of TBDD 1 and became ill with chloracne, headaches, back and leg pain. Because of leg pain on exertion he experienced marked difficulty walking, and was hospitalized for these conditions. His measured 2,3,7,8-TBDD was 1100 ppt in serum lipid, 34 years after initial exposure. We estimate 11,606 or 122,450 ppt TBDD lipid blood level at time of exposure, assuming 10 or 5 year half-lives. We estimate a body burden of approximately 128-1,350 micrograms TBDD at time of exposure. This is the first report of a brominated dioxin in human tissue. We found 20 parts per trillion (ppt) TCDD in a blood sample taken 34 years after initial exposure, in comparison to the mean 2,3,7,8-TCDD level in the general U.S. population which is 5 ppt. We estimate a possible blood TCDD level of between 158 and 1670 ppt at time of exposure, assuming first order kinetics, a single compartment model, and using half lives of 10 or 5 years respectively. This corresponds to approximately 2 to 20 micrograms of 2,3,7,8-TCDD.