title: Pharmacokinetics of TCDD in veterans of Operation Ranch Hand: 15-year follow-up.
abstract: Using multiple measurements from serum collected over 15 yr (in 1982, 1987, 1992, and 1997), the half-life of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in 97 veterans of Operation Ranch Hand, the Air Force unit responsible for the aerial spraying of Agent Orange in Vietnam, was estimated. The potential influences of age, percent body fat, and changes in percent body fat on the half-life estimate were also examined. The elimination rate of TCDD for these veterans was 0.0915 per year with 95% confidence interval 0.0844 to 0.0986 per year; the corresponding half-life estimate was 7.6 yr with 95% confidence interval 7.0 to 8.2 yr. The elimination rate decreased significantly with increasing body fat, but not with age or relative changes in percent body fat.
authors.affiliation: Air Force Research Laboratory, Brooks AFB, Texas 78235-5250, USA. joel.michalek@afhs.brooks.af.mil
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Michalek
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tripathi
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins