title: Dioxin contamination in soils of Southern Vietnam.
abstract: Dioxin is the common name for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and is abbreviated as PCDD/Fs. In the case of Southern Vietnam, is of high concern dioxin contamination in the areas affected by past-use chemical defoliants. Our study related to the zone considered as a "hot spot"--Bien Hoa Airbase and surrounding areas (Bien Hung Lake). Although the war ended over 30 years ago, the adverse effects on this territory still continue. Soil and sediment were selected for our research as they act as a sink for PCDD/Fs. The samples were taken and analyzed in CECOTOX laboratory following certified procedures. The total amounts of PCDD/Fs (2,3,7,8 related congeners) in the samples were converted into WHO-TEQ and compared with standard values proposed by Canadian environmental quality guidelines. The obtained data shows a relatively high risk (up to 20.4 times higher than (probable effect level) PEL value for sediment and 46 times higher than standard value for soil). The research is continuing on the assessment of dioxin transport in food chain. Moreover, considering the obtained data a complete solution should be found urgently to solve the problem of dioxin contamination in the studied areas.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Environment and Resources (IER), Vietnam National University of Hochiminh City (VNU-HCMC), Hochiminh City, Viet Nam. mtanh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Tuan Anh
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.forename: Thanh Vu
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Doan
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tarradellas
authors.forename: Luiz Felippe
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: de Alencastro
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grandjean
mesh_terms: D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D002947:Cities; D003678:Defoliants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005506:Food Contamination; D005618:Fresh Water; D005843:Geography; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D007221:Industry; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors; D014744:Vietnam; D014872:Water Movements
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D003678:Defoliants, Chemical; D004147:Dioxins; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D012989:Soil Pollutants