title: Biochemical study of retired pentachlorophenol workers with and without following dietary exposure to PCDD/Fs.
abstract: PCDD/Fs are found as impurities in commercial pesticide sodium pentachlorophenol (Na-PCP) salt. We compared, using multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors, serum PCDD/F levels and biochemical examinations of retired Na-PCP workers and other inhabitants living near a closed Na-PCP plant that discharged PCP-contaminated wastewater into a nearby pond in Tainan, Taiwan. In this cross-sectional study from October 2006 through May 2009, 1167 participants were divided into groups according to their occupational (retired Na-PCP plant workers versus other residents) and dietary exposure (eating polluted fish versus not eating polluted fish) to PCDD/Fs, and a general population from a large-scale survey. Serum PCDD/F levels were significantly different between these groups (range: from 22.9±10.0pg WHO(98)-TEQ(DF) g(-1) lipid in the general population to 109.6±94.5pg WHO(98)-TEQ(DF) g(-1) lipid in retired Na-PCP workers eating polluted seafood; P(trend)<0.001). Distinct patterns of PCDD/Fs congener profiles, showing a significantly higher proportion of 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD, 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxDD, and less 2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, OCDF, were also found among workers and residents with different serum PCDD/F levels versus the general population. After adjusting for confounding factors, glucose (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7.22 [95% CI: 4.04-12.90]), triglycerides (AOR 4.31 [95% CI: 2.57-7.22]), blood urea nitrogen (AOR 2.90 [95% CI: 1.58-5.33]), creatine (AOR 5.83 [95% CI: 1.12-30.30]) and total protein (AOR 3.74 [95% CI: 1.91-7.31]) levels in retired workers were significantly higher than in the reference group. Occupational exposure to PCDD/Fs is associated with biochemical abnormalities that may persist for years after serum PCDD/F levels have declined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010416:Pentachlorophenol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D010416:Pentachlorophenol