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 539 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. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.