title: Ten-year time trend of dioxins in human serum obtained from metropolitan populations in Seoul, Korea.
abstract: Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) were measured in 954 and 539 human serum samples obtained, respectively, from incinerator workers and residents living near and far from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) during a 10-year period from 2001 to 2011 in Seoul, Korea. The mean toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were 9.29 and 5.39 pg TEQ/g lipid, respectively. All populations exhibited similar concentrations and profiles, and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD, and PCB126 were identified as major contributors to TEQs. However, the levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were found to have positive associations with age when considering stratified age groups and showed a slight trend toward reduction. Differences in concentrations of these compounds among age groups slightly but continuously decreased from 2001 to 2011. The measured PCDD/F levels were compared to the predicted concentrations by using a single-compartment pharmacokinetic model on the basis of the daily intake of PCDD/Fs. The predicted concentration was 5.24 pg TEQ/g lipid, which was approximately half of the measured concentration, reflecting the present exposures. These results suggest that current data on the levels of PCDD/Fs in foodstuffs might be useful to predict the future levels of dioxins in humans, which are expected to decline with time.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), San 31, Hyojadong, Namgu, Pohang, Kyungbuk, 790-784, South Korea; Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), San 14-1, Nongseo-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 446-712, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyokeun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), San 31, Hyojadong, Namgu, Pohang, Kyungbuk, 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: Eunjin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), San 31, Hyojadong, Namgu, Pohang, Kyungbuk, 790-784, South Korea. Electronic address: yschang@postech.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Yoon-Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D056910:Republic of Korea; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
keywords: DL-PCBs; Dioxins; Human serum; PCDD/Fs; Time trend