title: PCDD/Fs in plasma of individuals living near a hazardous waste incinerator. A comparison of measured levels and estimated concentrations by PBPK modeling.
abstract: The construction of the first and, until now, only hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Spain finished in 1998. To assess its potential impact on the population living in the vicinity, a surveillance program was established. It includes the periodical biomonitoring of PCDD/Fs body burden. On the basis of this program, in 2012 we determined the levels of PCDD/Fs in plasma of nonoccupationally exposed individuals living near the HWI. The results were compared with those of the baseline study, and with those of two previous surveys (2002 and 2007). A multicompartment, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was also applied to estimate the levels of PCDD/Fs in plasma. The model was validated by comparing the results with our experimental data (baseline, 2002, 2007, and 2012). The current mean concentration was 6.18 pg I-TEQ/g lipid, with a range between 2.03 and 18.8 pg I-TEQ/g lipid. In 1998 (baseline), the mean concentration of PCDD/Fs in plasma was 27.0 pg I-TEQ/g lipid (reduction of 77%, p < 0.001). Significant reductions were also noted in our previous 2002 and 2007 surveys, with mean concentrations of 15.7 and 9.36 pg I-TEQ/g lipid, respectively. However, the comparison between simulated (using the PBPK model) and experimental results was very successful, as PCDD/F values in plasma were very similar (7.95 vs 6.18 pg I-TEQ/g lipid). The levels of PCDD/Fs in plasma of nonoccupationally exposed individuals living near the HWI here assessed are comparatively lower than most recently reported values.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Martí
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nadal
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fàbrega
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schuhmacher
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Domingo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins