Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in the general population in Finland.
We measured adipose tissue concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 420 general Finns living in southern Finland. The mean (median) concentrations of WHO(PCDD/F)-TEQ and WHO(PCB)-TEQ were 29.0 (24.1) and 20.7 (16.7) pg g-1 fat, respectively. The concentrations clearly correlated with age. Expressing the concentrations as a function of subject's ages revealed that the exposure of Finns has declined over the last 30 years. A downward gradient was found in the concentrations from the Baltic Sea coast to inland areas in Finland, and this was assessed to be due to consumption of the Baltic Sea fish, especially Baltic herring. Linear regression models for natural logarithm WHO(PCDD/F)-TEQ, natural logarithm WHO(PCB)-TEQ, and natural logarithm WHO(total)-TEQ, explained 70%, 69%, and 72% of the variability, respectively. Age, lactation, place of residence, and fish consumption frequencies were significant predictors in the models.
Department of Environmental Health, National Public Health Institute, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland. hannu.kiviranta@ktl.fi
Hannu
H
Kiviranta
Jouni T
JT
Tuomisto
Jouko
J
Tuomisto
Erkki
E
Tukiainen
Terttu
T
Vartiainen
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017747:Seafood
D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls