Decrease of PCDD/F levels in human blood--trend analysis for the German population, 1991-1996.
More than 500 whole blood samples of normal subjects from Germany collected in 1991-1996 have been analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) by capillary gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Over the examined time period a continuous decrease of the PCDD/F concentrations in human blood was observed. The mean levels found were about 42.7 pg I-TEq/g (lipid basis) in 1991 and 20.7 pg I-TEq/g (liquid basis) in 1996 [median: 40.8 and 19.2]. A reduction to about half was found for most congeners. Each 1-year subset of the entire collective shows a positive correlation of the PCDD/F blood levels with age for most of the congeners, the sum values, and the calculated toxicity equivalents. For statistical evaluation a multiplicative model was used: Concentration in blood = A x ageB. The correlation is mostly pronounced for lower chlorinated PCDD and for 2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF.
Wittsiepe
J
J
Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Abteilung für Hygiene, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Germany.
Schrey
P
P
Ewers
U
U
Wilhelm
M
M
Selenka
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000097:blood*
D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D012989:Soil Pollutants