Measurement of dioxins and WHO PCBs in foodstuffs using GCxGC-IDTOFMs

in Organohalogen Compounds (2004), 66

Evaluation du niveau de contamination des rivières par les PCBs et les dioxines

Report (2004)

Levels of contamination for various pollutants present in Belgian human plasma

in Organohalogen Compounds (2004)

Application of the CALUX bioassay for epidemiological study: analyses of Belgian human plasma

in Organohalogen Compounds (2004)

Dioxin/polychlorinated biphenyl body burden, diabetes and endometriosis: findings in a population-based study in Belgium

in Biomarkers : Biochemical Indicators of Exposure, Response, & Susceptibility to Chemicals (2003), 8(6), 529-534

Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants widely distributed in the food chain, which is the main source of human exposure. Their effects on human health at background ... [more ▼]

Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants widely distributed in the food chain, which is the main source of human exposure. Their effects on human health at background exposure levels are still poorly understood. Recent epidemiological evidence suggests a possible association between these pollutants and diabetes. We report here the results of a population-based study in Belgium on 257 (142 women and 115 men) environmentally exposed subjects, including 10 cases of endometriosis and nine cases of diabetes. Seventeen 2,3,7,8-polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs or dioxins), four coplanar PCBs (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry [IUPAC] nos 77, 81, 126 and 169) and 12 PCB markers ( IUPAC nos 3, 8, 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180, 194, 206 and 209) were quantified in serum fat from fasting blood samples in order to estimate the body burden of these pollutants. Whilst no difference was found between women with endometriosis and their controls, diabetic patients had significantly increased serum levels of dioxins, coplanar PCBs and the 12 PCB markers. After adjustment for age and other covariates, serum total toxic equivalent activity (sum of PCDD/Fs and coplanar PCBs) and 12 PCB marker concentrations in diabetics were 62% (p=0.0005) and 39% (p=0.0067) higher, respectively, than in controls. The risk of diabetes was significantly increased in subjects in the top decile for adjusted concentrations of dioxins (odds ratio 5.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-21.7), coplanar PCBs (odds ratio 13.3, 95% CI 3.31-53.2) or 12 PCB markers (odds ratio 7.6, 95% CI 1.58-36.3). These findings warrant further studies to assess the significance of the associations between diabetes and environmental exposure to polychlorinated pollutants. [less ▲]

Dioxin accumulation in residents around incinerators

in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A (2003), 66(14), 1287-1293

To evaluate the human exposure impact of municipal waste incinerators, dioxin and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were determined in blood of 84 subjects who resided approximately ... [more ▼]

To evaluate the human exposure impact of municipal waste incinerators, dioxin and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were determined in blood of 84 subjects who resided approximately 18 yr in the vicinity of two old incinerators, one located in a rural area (n = 51) and the other in an industrial area (n = 33). These subjects were compared with 63 controls from an unpolluted area. While no change was found in contaminant levels in residents living around the incinerator in the industrial area, subjects residing around the incinerator in the rural area possessed significantly higher serum levels of dioxins (38 vs. 24 pg TEQ/g fat) and coplanar PCBs (10 vs. 7 pg TEQ/g fat) than controls. These results were confirmed by multiple-regression analysis, showing that residence around the incinerator in the rural area (partial r(2) = .18) was the major contributor to dioxin accumulation followed by age (partial r(2) = .07). A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on age-adjusted dioxin levels revealed a significant interaction between residence around incinerators and the consumption of fat from local origin, especially bovine and poultry products. Although age-adjusted dioxin levels in controls did not vary with local animal fat consumption, concentrations of dioxins in subjects living around the incinerators increased proportionally to their intake of local animal fat, with almost a doubling in subjects with a fat intake higher than 150 gfat/wk. Extrapolation from these data suggests that a significant increase of dioxin body burden is likely to occur only when dioxin emissions exceed 5 ng TEQ/Nm(3), a threshold considerably above most emissions standards currently in force. [less ▲]

Increased dioxin/PCB body burden in diabetics: findings in a population-based study in Belgium

in Organohalogen Compounds (2003), 60-65

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in livers of an Atlantic seabird, the common guillemot Uria algue: Influence of the general body conditions

in Organohalogen Compounds (2003)

Analysis of PCDD/Fs in human blood plasma using CALUX bioassay and GC-HRMS: a comparison

in Organohalogen Compounds (2003)

Dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in juvenile harbour porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena) from the North sea

in Organohalogen Compounds (2003)