Dioxin and dibenzofuran concentrations in blood of a general population from Tarragona, Spain

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 1999-02, Vol.38 (5), p.1123-1133
• Main Authors: Schuhmacher, M., Domingo, J.L., Llobet, J.M., Lindström, G., Wingfors, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Benzofurans - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Environmental Exposure; Environmental pollutants toxicology; Female; General aspects; Hazardous Waste; Humans; Incineration; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; nonoccupationally exposed subjects; plasma levels of PCDDIF; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analogs & derivatives; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - blood; Population Surveillance; Refuse Disposal; Spain; Tarragona (Spain); Toxicology; Urban Health
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(98)00363-4

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined in plasma samples of 20 nonoccupationally exposed subjects living in the vicinity of a new hazardous waste incinerator (HWI), now under construction in Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain). The mean PCDD/F value was 27.0 pg I-TEQ/g lipid with a range from 14.8 to 48.9 pg I-TEQ/g lipid. All samples showed higher PCDD than PCDF levels. Although PCDD/F concentrations were higher in women (27.7 pg I-TEQ/g lipid) than in men (25.2 pg I-TEQ/g lipid), the difference was not statistically significant. While a significant correlation (r = 0.565, p < 0.01) between the age of the subjects and the levels of PCDD/F in plasma could be observed, no significant differences were found in relation to the specific residential area. The plasma concentrations of PCDD/F obtained in the current study are discussed and compared with the results of similar investigations reported in the last two years.