title: The University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study: predictors of human serum dioxin concentrations in Midland and Saginaw, Michigan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We conducted a population-based human exposure study in response to concerns among the population of Midland and Saginaw counties, Michigan, that discharges by the Dow Chemical Company of dioxin-like compounds into the nearby river and air had led to an increase in residents' body burdens of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), here collectively referred to as "dioxins."
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to identify factors that explained variation in serum dioxin concentrations among the residents of Midland and Saginaw counties. Exposures to dioxins in soil, river sediments, household dust, historic emissions, and contaminated fish and game were of primary interest.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 946 people in four populations in the contaminated area and in a referent population, by interview and by collection of serum, household dust, and residential soil. Linear regression was used to identify factors associated with serum dioxins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic factors explained a large proportion of variation in serum dioxin concentrations. Historic exposures before 1980, including living in the Midland/Saginaw area, hunting and fishing in the contaminated areas, and working at Dow, contributed to serum dioxin levels. Exposures since 1980 in Midland and Saginaw counties contributed little to serum dioxins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides valuable insights into the relationships between serum dioxins and environmental factors, age, sex, body mass index, smoking, and breast-feeding. These factors together explain a substantial proportion of the variation in serum dioxin concentrations in the general population. Historic exposures to environmental contamination appeared to be of greater importance than recent exposures for dioxins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Risk Science Center, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2029, USA. dhg@umich.edu
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Garabrant
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franzblau
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lepkowski
authors.forename: Brenda W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adriaens
authors.forename: Avery
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demond
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hedgeman
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Knutson
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwica
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Towey
authors.forename: Qixuan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Biling
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Chiung-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shih-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ladronka
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luksemburg
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maier
mesh_terms: D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008824:Michigan; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004391:Dust; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls