title: Correlates of serum dioxin to self-reported exposure factors.
abstract: The aim of the current analysis was to examine the determinates of lipid-adjusted body levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) from occupational histories, age, body mass index, and self-reported information from a questionnaire. We collected serum from 346 workers at a New Zealand chemical plant that manufactured and formulated the herbicide, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). Age, body mass index, and employment history were significant determinates of TCDD. The self-reported data on occupation, residence, and general diet were not predictive of serum levels and we observed no evidence of increased TCDD levels from living close to the site. For participants with putative occupational exposure, employment history and personal factors were important to understand the range of TCDD serum levels. For employees without direct occupational exposure, and resulting lower dioxin levels, we recommend further efforts to develop and validate questionnaires to better evaluate environmental sources of dioxins.
authors.affiliation: The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI 48674, USA. cburns@dow.com
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Humphry
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bodner
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Aylward
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McBride
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019540:Area Under Curve; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002617:Chemical Industry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000097:blood*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins