Levels Of Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans Research Articles

In-field Measurements of PCDF Emissions from Coal Combustion and Their Quantitative Analyses

In this study, a series of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) emitted to the surrounding soil as the result of the combustion of coal and wood from the industrial steam boilers and household stoves have been identified. Levels of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) in soil samples were measured at different sites in proximity to the municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) to determine baseline contamination and the contributory role of incinerator emissions. PCDF contaminants were concentrated from soil samples and isolated from other materials by chromatographic methods. PCDF isomers were identified separately by column chromatography utilizing column packed with materials such as Kieselgel/44 vol% H2SO4, Macro Alumina B Super 1, Mix. Column, Bio Beads S-X3 Gel Chromatography, Min Alumina B Super 1 + Kieselgel/AgNO3 and their quantitative determinations were performed by GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy). The PCDF levels were subsequently compared with established values from previous studies.

Dioxin concentration in the blood of patients collected during medical check-up for Yusho in 2004-2005.

We measured the concentrations of polychlorinated dizenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and non-ortho coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (non-ortho PCBs) in blood collected from 242 Yusho patients and 74 Yusho-suspected persons in 2004 and 237 Yusho patients and 114 Yusho-suspected persons in 2005. The sums of toxic equivalents (TEQ) concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, and non-ortho PCBs in the blood of Yusho patients in 2004 and 2005 were 126.1 and 124.2 pg TEQ/g lipid, respectively, and the concentrations were 3.4 and 3.3 times higher than those of normal controls that had been previously reported, respectively. Those of the Yusho-suspected persons were about 0.8 and 1.0 times higher than those of normal controls, respectively. Although the TEQ concentrations of PCDDs and non-ortho PCBs among Yusho patients, Yusho-suspected persons, and normal controls were nearly the same, the PCDFs levels of Yusho patients were about 9.8 and 9.5 times higher than those of normal controls in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The concentration of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF), which was the highest among PCDFs congeners for Yusho patients, was about 10. 6 and 10.2 times higher than that of the normal controls in 2004 and 2005, respectively. In the case of Yusho-suspected persons, the concentrations were 0.9 and 1.4 times higher than those of normal controls, respectively. However, some of the Yusho-suspected persons showed a high concentration of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF that was approximately 15 times greater than concentrations in normal controls. Of 74 Yusho-suspected persons measured in 2004, 7 persons were officially registered as Yusho patients based on the "New Diagnostic Criteria" that officially became the diagnostic criteria for Yusho exposure on September 29, 2004, which included a concentration of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF in the blood, and in 2005, 14 persons of 114 Yusho-suspected persons were officially registered as Yusho patients.

Evaluation of dioxin-like chemicals in pooled human milk samples collected in Australia

Human milk samples were collected and analysed for the levels of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and selected dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In total, 157 individual samples collected during 2002 and 2003 as well as 24 samples collected in 1993 were analysed as 20 pools. PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs were detected in all pooled samples. For samples collected during 2002/2003, the TEQ(DFP) ranged from 6.0 to 15.2 pg TEQ g(-1) lipid with an average of 9.0 pg TEQ g(-1) lipid. The average lipid content was 3.7+/-0.5%. No systematic differences were observed in the levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in human milk samples collected from different regions of Australia during 2002/2003. For samples collected in 1993 and analysed as pools, the mean level, expressed as TEQ(DFP) was 16+/-1.4 pg TEQ g(-1) lipid. The average lipid content was 3.9+/-0.7%. The levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in the human milk of Australian women are both low compared to international levels and similar across all regions of Australia. Consistent with world-wide trends, the levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs have decreased over a 10 year period from 1993 to 2003 by approximately 40%.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the serum of US Air Force veterans in 2002.

We measured levels of PCDDs, PCDFs, non-ortho, and mono-ortho substituted PCBs in 106 US Air Force Vietnam veterans, participants of the Air Force Health Study (AFHS) who attended the final medical examination in 2002. Twelve veterans were Ranch Hands involved in aerial spraying of herbicides in Vietnam (1962-1971), and 94 were Comparisons who flew transport missions in Southeast Asia (SEA) during the same time period. These veterans had no previous 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) measurement because they had not attended any of the previous AFHS examinations, or their previous measurements were missing or not valid. The mean TCDD levels in 2002 were 1.7 pg/g lipid in Comparisons and 5.5 pg/g lipid in Ranch Hands. The mean PCDD toxic equivalent - TEQ (1997) in Comparisons was 12.6 pg/g lipid, 5.4 pg/g lipid for PCDFs, 5.2 pg/g lipid for non-ortho PCBs, and 9.4 pg/g lipid for mono-ortho PCBs, with a total mean TEQ (1997) of 32.6 pg/g lipid. Corresponding mean TEQs in Ranch Hands were 15.5 pg/g lipid for PCDDs, 4.6 pg/g lipid for PCDFs, 2.2 pg/g lipid for non-ortho PCBs, and 9.3 pg/g lipid for mono-ortho PCBs, yielding the total mean TEQ (1997) of 31.6pg/g lipid. Using the re-evaluated 2005 WHO TEFs, the total mean TEQs (2005) decreased by about 28% in both Comparisons and Ranch Hands, to 23.6 pg/g lipid and 22.8 pg/g lipid, respectively. This was mainly due to changes of TEFs for the group of mono-ortho PCBs, which decreased the mono-ortho PCBs TEQs by almost 90% in both Ranch Hands and Comparisons.

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and non- ortho and mono- ortho polychlorinated biphenyls in blood of Yusho patients

We measured the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), non- ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (non- ortho PCBs) and mono- ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (mono- ortho PCBs) in blood collected from 279 Yusho patients living in Japan, 92 Yusho-suspected persons living in Japan and 127 normal controls living in Fukuoka Prefecture, and compared among the groups in terms the concentrations of these compounds. The total toxic equivalents (TEQ) concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, non- ortho PCBs, and mono- ortho PCBs in the bloods of Yusho patients and Yusho-suspected persons were 161.4 and 51.2 pg TEQ/g lipid, respectively and were about 3.5 and 1.1 times higher than those of normal controls, respectively. Although the TEQ concentrations of PCDDs, non- ortho PCBs, and mono- ortho PCBs among Yusho patients, Yusho-suspected persons and normal controls were nearly the same, the PCDFs levels of Yusho patients were significantly higher than those of Yusho-suspected persons and about 10.3 times higher than those of normal controls. In Yusho patients, PCDFs contributed about 65% to the total TEQ concentration. Among the PCDFs congeners for Yusho patients, the concentration of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF) was about 11.3 times higher than that of normal controls. These findings indicated that Yusho patients even now, more than 34 years after the outbreak of Yusho, have much higher blood levels of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF in general than do unaffected persons.

Levels of PBDEs, PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs in edible fish from California coastal waters

The levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs), coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (coPCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in fish collected from San Francisco Bay in 2000 and from the California coast in 2001. The samples were composites of only the edible portions of the fish (skin on, skin off, or whole body minus head and guts) of comparable size and from distinct geographical areas. Sixty-five composite samples were analyzed for PCDD/PCDF/coPCBs, and 43 composite samples were analyzed for PBDEs. For all fish of all species from all sampling areas, the mean concentration of the sum of BDEs 47, 99, 100, 153, and 154 was 302 ng/g lipid weight, with BDE 47 > 100 > 99 ∼ 154 > 153. For all fish of all species from all sampling areas, the mean PCDD/PCDF International Toxic Equivalent (I-TEQ) was 33.1 pg/g lipid. For the three coPCBs (77, 126, 169), the mean I-TEQ for all fish of all species from all sampling areas was 109 pg/g lipid. The highest concentrations of both PCDD/PCDF/coPCBs and PBDEs were found in the highly populated areas of San Francisco Bay, the Los Angeles area, and San Diego Bay.

Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins, Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans, and Coplanar Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Human Milk in Osaka City, Japan

Forty-eight human milk samples were collected from primiparous mothers in Osaka City from June 1999 to January 2000 and analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (CoPCBs). Mean toxic equivalents (TEQs) in the milk were 13.86 pg I-TEQ/g fat or 16.50 pg World Health Organization (WHO)-TEQ/g fat for PCDDs and PCDFs; 9.87 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat for CoPCBs; and 23.74 pg TEQ/g fat using I-TEQ values of PCDDs and PCDFs or 26.36 pg TEQ/g fat using WHO-TEQ values of PCDDs and PCDFs for total PCDDs, PCDFs, and CoPCBs. The TEQ levels of these chemicals in human milk in Osaka City were in the range of levels in human milk surveyed in Japan, but the TEQ levels of PCDDs and PCDFs and total PCDDs, PCDFs, and CoPCBs from our study were slightly higher than average TEQ levels in human milk in Japan. When comparing our data with the latest data from the United States and some European countries, the TEQ levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in human milk from Osaka City were relatively high, whereas those of CoPCBs were ranked as being of intermediate level. Only TEQ values of CoPCBs in human milk were found to correlate with the increasing age of mothers and their estimated intake of seafood during the year before pregnancy. Concentrations of PCBs 105 and 118 contributed to TEQ values of CoPCBs associated with seafood intake, whereas those of PCBs 156, 157, 114, 189, 167, and 169 contributed to TEQ values of CoPCBs associated with increasing maternal age.

Relationship of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings with blood levels of PCDFs in patients with Yusho

Since the Kanemi Yusho poisoning incident, patients with Yusho have been followed up for 35 years in annual health examinations for Yusho symptoms by a national Study Group for Yusho. Because of recent advances in the technology for the measurement of dioxins, the determination of blood polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) levels has become possible with high accuracy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical symptoms and dioxins, one of the causal agents, in patients with Kanemi Yusho oil poisoning disease. The participants were patients with oil poisoning disease who had undergone general examinations including measurement of PCDF levels, internal medicine, examination sheet (biochemistry, hematology), and dermatological, dental and ophthalmological examinations in 2001 and 2002. We investigated the presence or absence of symptoms in these examinations and the relationship with PCDF levels by methods such as three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Large differences were found between the examination results in 2001 and those in 2002. Items for which the relationship between the symptoms or the results and PCDF levels was currently considered strong were polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-related items, and items of a gingival nature and gingival sites.

Complete blood cell counts and blood chemistry in Yusho

Because of their lipophilic nature, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) bioaccumulate in the food chain and their residues have been detected in foods. Consequently, they accumulate readily in the human body. Reports suggest that PCB blood levels remain constant or increase. Little, however, is known about the long-term hazardous effects of PCBs and dioxins on human health. Yusho is a type of food poisoning caused by PCBs and dioxins that contaminated rice bran oil. We analyzed blood samples of the Yusho patients from 1986 to 2002, and studied changes in blood cell counts, blood chemistry and tumor markers. A population of 1041 patients was divided into patient and control groups based on the diagnostic criteria established for Yusho and participant's blood polychlorinated quarterphenyl (PCQ) levels. In total, 1666 blood and 1652 urine samples from 374 patients in the patient group (PCQ levels = 0.1 ppb), and 373 blood and 302 urine samples from 151 people in the control group (PCQ levels < 0.02 ppb) were analyzed. Blood levels of PCBs, PCQs, polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined, and we analyzed their correlation with the data of complete blood cell counts, blood chemistry and urinalysis . Blood analyses, blood chemistry and urine values in Yusho patients were not significantly different from those in the control group 34 years after the Yusho incident. PCBs, PCQs or PCDFs may, however, affect hematogenesis, serum potassium, serum phosphorus, protein metabolism and creatine kinase metabolism because these parameters had slight but significant correlations with the levels of PCBs, PCQs or PCDFs. Exposure to PCBs and the related organochlorine compounds should be avoided.

Oral mucosa and dental findings in Yusho

Summary Background: Yusho is a disease caused by the ingestion of rice bran oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and related compounds. Oral lesions such as oral pigmentation, anomalies of the dental root shape and deficiency of tooth germs have been observed in Yusho patients. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral lesions, especially oral pigmentation, in Yusho patients, and also to describe the relationship between oral lesions and PCBs or PCDFs. Methods: Visual and radiographic examinations were performed on Yusho patients who visited the dentist during the annual health examination in Fukuoka prefecture. The data obtained from 1968 to 2003 were analyzed. Results: Gingival pigmentation was the most common of all types of oral pigmentation seen in Yusho patients. Of all the examined Yusho patients, the proportion who had gingival pigmentation was more than 60% during the early phase after the Yusho incident, but this value had decreased to below 30% in 1993. However, it subsequently increased again to about 50% in 2003. Yusho patients with a blood PCB pattern typical of Yusho showed the highest incidence of oral pigmentation 5 years after PCB poisoning. As time passed, however, there was no specific difference in the prevalence of oral pigmentation between any type of PCB pattern, either specific to Yusho or commonly observed in the general population. Analysis of data by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in 2001 and 2002 showed that there was a close relationship between the presence of upper gingival pigmentation and blood PCDF levels. Conclusions: The prevalence of oral pigmentation still remains high even after 35 years, and PCDFs may be responsible for the presence of oral pigmentation.

Blood chemistry, alpha-fetoprotein and hepatitis B surface antigen in Yusho

Summary Background and Objective: An incident of accidental human exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) occurred in the western part of Japan in 1968. The disease is known as Yusho, because its cause was the ingestion of rice bran oil that was contaminated with PCBs. The various symptoms such as acneform skin eruptions were observed in the early stage in Yusho patients. An important fact is that polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were detected in the contaminated rice oil. PCDFs have a much higher toxicity than do PCBs. Analysis of blood concentration of PCDFs was performed throughout Japan in 2002. There have been no reports on the relationship between blood concentration of PCDFs and blood chemistry, alpha-fetoprotein or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Yusho. This is the first study to report on the relationship between blood concentration of PCDFs and blood chemistry, alpha-fetoprotein or HBsAg in Yusho. Methods: We analyzed blood chemistry by measuring the following 20 items—total protein, serum albumin, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, cholinesterase, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, amylase, creatine kinase, urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid. Alpha-fetoprotein and HBsAg were also measured. We studied the relationship between blood concentrations of total PCDFs and the items of the blood chemistry analysis, alpha-fetoprotein and HBsAg. Results: Of the 20 items of blood chemistry, alpha-fetoprotein and HBsAg, we found three items (GGT, HDL cholesterol and creatinine) were significantly related to the total PCDF level using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Conclusion: A significant relationship between three items of the blood chemistry analysis (GGTP, HDL cholesterol and creatinine) and total PCDF levels in the blood was observed in 2002. The blood concentrations of total PCBs and PCDFs have now decreased; however, the PCDFs in patients with Yusho still affect blood chemistry.

Ophthalmic findings in Yusho

Summary Background: The ocular signs in Yusho include hypersecretion by the meibomian glands, abnormal pigmentation of the bulbar conjunctiva, unusual pigmentation of the limbal conjunctiva, pigmentation of the tarsal conjunctiva and edema of the eyelid. Participants and methods: The ocular symptoms in Yusho patients were analyzed to investigate their relationship with the concentration of dioxins in the blood. The participants were patients with Yusho who underwent examinations including measurement of blood dioxin levels and ocular symptoms in 2002. Results and conclusion: The significant relation between the increase in ocular discharge and the level of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the blood is currently considered strong. No significant relationship with blood PCDF levels was found with any of the other four ocular symptoms. Although the blood levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins are now decreasing in Yusho patients, they still cause abnormal discharge from the eye.

WITHDRAWN: Relationship of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings with blood levels of PCDFs in patients with Yusho

Summary Background and objective: Since the Kanemi Yusho poisoning incident, patients with Yusho have been followed up for 35 years in annual health examinations for Yusho symptoms by a national Study Group for Yusho. Because of recent advances in the technology for the measurement of dioxins, the determination of blood polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) levels has become possible with high accuracy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical symptoms and dioxins, one of the causal agents, in patients with Kanemi Yusho oil poisoning disease. Methods: The participants were patients with oil poisoning disease who had undergone general examinations including measurement of PCDF levels, internal medicine, examination sheet (biochemistry, hematology), and dermatological, dental and ophthalmological examinations in 2001 and 2002. We investigated the presence or absence of symptoms in these examinations and the relationship with PCDF levels by methods such as three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Large differences were found between the examination results in 2001 and those in 2002. Items for which the relationship between the symptoms or the results and PCDF levels was currently considered strong were polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-related items, and items of a gingival nature and gingival sites.

Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxin and Dibenzofuran Concentrations in Serum Samples of Workers at an Infectious Waste Incineration Plant in Japan

In 1998–2000, concentrations of summed polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the exhaust gas of an infectious waste incineration plant were 17–510 ng toxic equivalents (TEQ)/m3, which reached levels above the Japanese legal limit value of 80 ng TEQ/m3. The incinerator ceased operation in November 2000. This study was aimed at determining whether the incinerator workers were exposed to high levels of PCDDs and PCDFs. Blood samples of five workers were collected at 1 month and 16 months after the end of the occupational dioxin exposure. For comparison, blood samples were also collected from control subjects. Ash remaining in the incinerator and dust deposited around the conveyer and incinerator areas were collected; TEQ values were 44 and 10 ng TEQ/g, respectively. A month after the end of occupational dioxin exposure, mean TEQ for the workers was 49.1 pg TEQ/g lipid, which was 2.7 times as high as that for the controls. At 16 months, the mean TEQ for the workers decreased to 29.4 pg TEQ/g lipid, which was 1.6 times that for the controls. Ratios of serum level of each congener of PCDDs and PCDFs between 1 and 16 months after exposure were 0.44 to 0.69. This study showed that the serum dioxin levels for the infectious waste incinerator workers were higher than the controls, and the serum dioxin level decreased after the end of the occupational dioxin exposure.

Contamination Levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and Co-PCBs in Commercial Baby Foods in Japan

To examine dioxin contamination in commercial baby foods in Japan, congener analyses of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) were performed on 102 varieties of baby foods obtained from supermarkets in 2001-2002. The toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) levels for dioxins in samples ranged from < 0.001 to 0.135 pg-TEQ/g wet weight when undetected or trace levels of congeners were taken as zero. Among 102 samples tested, 26 samples exceeded 0.010 pg-TEQ/g. The highest TEQ value was for "sardine, vegetables" (0.135 pg-TEQ/g), followed by "Japanese radish (daikon), sardine" (0.080 pg-TEQ/g). Thus, dioxins were detected at low levels in baby foods containing animal products such as fishes and/or dairy products.

Histologic Changes in Thyroid Glands from Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in Tokyo Bay, Japan: Possible Association with Environmental Contaminants

We compared morphologic changes in thyroid glands of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from the Tokyo Bay and Lake Biwa areas in Japan with presence of residues of polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs). Prominent morphologic changes in thyroid glands included increased density of small follicles and increased number of epithelial cells surrounding follicular lumens. The extent of morphologic changes in the thyroid gland was higher in cormorants captured from Tokyo Bay than in those captured from Lake Biwa. Increased thyroid change in cormorants from the Tokyo Bay area was associated with significantly higher levels of PCDFs and Co-PCBs. Thus, we suggest that morphologic changes in thyroid glands from the cormorants are associated with increased levels of dioxin contamination in Japan.

EXPRESSION OF VON HIPPEL LINDAU GENE AS EXPOSURE AND OUTCOME MARKER FOR PCB/PCDF EXPOSED POPULATION

ISEE-159 Purpose: Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with multiple human and wildlife health effects. The effects of these chemicals on gene expression profiles in human peripheral lymphocytes have not been documented. We used cDNA microarray approach to study a group of people highly exposed to PCBs/PCDFs to identify gene expression as biomarkers in the peripheral lymphocytes. Methods: In 1979, a mass poisoning of more than 2000 people occurred in central Taiwan due to consumption of rice–bran cooking oil contaminated with PCBs and PCDFs. The exposed people, later called Yucheng (“oil-disease” in Chinese) victims, suffered from fatigue, chloracne and other skin manifestations, peripheral neuropathies, liver function abnormalities, and other signs and symptoms. The exposed people had high serum levels of PCBs and PCDFs 20 years after exposure. In 2002, peripheral blood of Yucheng men and unexposed controls were collected by venopuncture. The mRNAs extracted from lymphocytes were reversely transcribed into cDNAs and labeled with biotin, then hybridized to the cDNAs on the biochip. After the hybridization, the chips were applied to high resolution scanner for image analysis. We used the Millennium cDNA nylon membrance microarray chips, with 972 human cDNA, especially those involved in the pathways related to carcinogenesis and signal transduction, prepared by the Center of Microarray of National Cheng Kung Medical College. Fourteen endogenous human housekeeping genes (such as G3PDH, beta-actin, HPR1, etc.) were used as comparison. The expression was further confirmed by real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by LightCycler (Roche Co.) in combination with the dsDNA binding dye SYBR Green I. Serially diluted PCR product of known concentration was used to construct a standard curve for quantification. Results: A total of 53 exposed and 35 control men participated in this study, with age 42 years. Among the exposed men, 42 had ever had serum levels of PCBs measured in 1980–1982, which averaged 81 ppb. The von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene expressions were found to be increased with older age, and suppressed in exposed population as screened by microarray study, and confirmed by real time-PCR. Among exposed subjects, VHL gene expression was negatively associated with higher levels of PCBs measured in 1980–1982, and was reduced in those with chloracne, abnormal nails, or skin allergies, the most important manifestations associated with Yucheng. Conclusion: The VHL gene expression in peripheral lymphocytes may be exposure and outcome biomarkers for PCBs/PCDFs exposure.

Levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in Belgian and international fast food samples

Congener-specific analyses of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were performed on twenty-eight non-pooled fast food samples collected in Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, United States of America and Australia. PCDD/F and PCB concentrations for the four investigated types of meals were very low. PCDD/F values ranged from non-detected to 1.40 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat and from 0.79 to 2.08 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat for lower and upper bound, respectively. Major contributors to the PCDD/F TEQ were 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD, 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD, 2,3,7,8-TCDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF. The relative contribution of PCBs to the total TEQ was 68%. For adults, an average estimated intake was 6.7 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw/month, including consumption of all types of analyzed meals, representing 9.5% of the PTMI. For child, a value of 14.5 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw/month was obtained, representing 20.6% of the PTMI.

Assessment of dietary exposure to some persistent organic pollutants in the Republic of Karakalpakstan of Uzbekistan.

A 1999 study heightened long-standing concerns over persistent organic pollutant contamination in the Aral Sea area, detecting elevated levels in breast milk and cord blood of women in Karakalpakstan (western Uzbekistan). These findings prompted a collaborative research study aimed at linking such human findings with evidence of food chain contamination in the area. An international team carried out analyses of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) on samples of 12 foods commonly produced and consumed in Karakalpakstan. Analysis consistently detected long-lasting organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites in all foods of animal origin and in some vegetables such as onions and carrots--two low-cost components of many traditional dishes. Levels of PCBs were relatively low in all samples except fish. Analyses revealed high levels of PCDDs and PCDFs (together often termed "dioxins") in sheep fat, dairy cream, eggs, and edible cottonseed oil, among other foodstuffs. These findings indicate that food traditionally grown, sold, and consumed in Karakalpakstan is a major route of human exposure to several persistent toxic contaminants, including the most toxic of dioxins, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD). Intake estimations demonstrate that consumption of even small amounts of locally grown food may expose consumers to dioxin levels that considerably exceed the monthly tolerable dioxin intake levels set by the World Health Organization. Data presented in this study allow a first assessment of the risk associated with the consumption of certain food products in Karakalpakstan and highlight a critical public health situation.

Fish intake, plasma ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzo-furans and co-planar polychlorinated biphenyls in the blood of the Japanese population

To evaluate background exposure levels and determinants of the individual variations in the exposure to dioxins in Japan. A cross-sectional study was performed on 131 men and 122 women (aged 20-76 years), who resided in five prefectures of Japan and had no occupational exposure to dioxins. Seven polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), ten polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs) and 12 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are assigned a toxicity equivalent factor, were determined in fasting blood. Biochemical analysis of plasma and a questionnaire survey on life-style, including dietary habit, were also performed. Factors associated with the levels of dioxin-related compounds in blood were evaluated by multiple linear regression. The median of total toxicity equivalents (TEQs) in men and women was 17 and 16 pg TEQ/g lipid, respectively, with no gender difference. After adjustment for age and other covariates, plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid, a biomarker of fish intake, were found to be positively associated with blood levels of total dioxin, PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs, all of which were expressed on a TEQ basis (P<0.01). The frequency of intake of coastal fish, such as horse mackerel, mackerel and sardine, was also associated with TEQ-based concentrations of PCDFs (P=0.03) and PCBs (P=0.08). The intake of raw fish was positively related to total dioxins (P=0.06) and PCBs (P=0.03). The level of intake of marine fish, especially raw fish and coastal varieties, may be associated with increased blood levels of dioxin-related compounds among the population. Despite high fish consumption in Japan, the body burden of dioxins in the population was not found to be higher than that in western countries.