Abstract
Purpose
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 1969–1984, 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 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.
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.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Katharine Haddock, Shirley-Belle Brogan, Elizabeth Harding, and Juliet Irvine for their involvement in the field work, as well as doctors Simon Ryder-Lewis, David Scott, and Christine van Dalen. We thank Anna Shum-Pearce, Alister Thomson, and Miria Hudson for completing data entry and Khoon (KC) Wong and Mathu Shanthakamur for data management and statistical assistance. We thank Rosy Fenwick (former National Medical Officer) and Julian Hughes (National Manager, Safety and Wellbeing) from the fire service for their support.
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This study was funded by a New Zealand Health Research Council Project Grant (HRC05/300). The serum dioxin testing of the 39 firefighters was funded by the New Zealand Fire Service.
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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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‘t Mannetje, A., Eng, A., Walls, C. et al. Serum concentrations of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, furans and PCBs, among former phenoxy herbicide production workers and firefighters in New Zealand. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 89, 307–318 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-015-1074-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-015-1074-6