Evolution of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in the general adult population living close to a MSW incinerator.

It is well known that municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWI) produce dioxins and furans. The aim of this study was to assess the serum levels of compounds with dioxin-like activity such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like PCBs after the commissioning of a MSWI plant. In 2006 and 2008 serum samples were obtained from 322 and 326 volunteers, respectively, from the general population, some living in the vicinity of the plant and others, as a control group, living further away from the MSWI plant and out of the path of prevailing winds. Samples for sets of 20 individuals, grouped by age and sex, were pooled, obtaining 16 pooled samples per year. No significant differences were observed in PCDD/Fs as a function of area of residence or proximity to the plant over the time of the study, with levels of WHO-TEQ/g lipid nearby and far from the MSWI being 26.9 and 20.0pg, respectively, in 2006 and 20.8 and 26.4pg, respectively, in 2008. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of non-ortho PCBs in the nearby areas, whilst there was a significant increase in the concentration of mono-ortho PCBs, both in the nearby areas and in those further away from the MSWI. Age was significantly associated with PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs, but sex showed no significant association. Overall, this study found that there was no increase in the levels of compounds with dioxin-like activity in a population living close to an MSWI, in agreement with the literature reviewed, for plants of recent construction using state-of-the-art technology.

Serum levels of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans and PCBs in the general population living near an urban waste treatment plant in Biscay, Basque Country.

Levels of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs were measured in 16 pooled samples of serum from a total of 322 adults in the general population, to coincide with the start-up of a new municipal solid urban waste treatment plant in Biscay, Basque Country (Spain). Two hundred and eighty-three individual serum samples were also obtained, in which the most common PCBs (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) were quantified. The samples were taken from four geographical zones: two from the metropolitan area of Bilbao, located less than 2 km from the plant and with high traffic density (Zones E1 and E2), a third located 5 km from the plant in an urban area of Bilbao, also with high traffic density (Zone C1) and the fourth located 20 km from the plant, in a municipality with minimal industrial activity and low traffic density (Zone C2), the latter two being out of the path of the prevailing winds. The median levels of dioxins+furans were similar by zone: E1=24.3, E2=27.3, C1=21.3, C2=18.8 pg g(-1) lipid (p=0.362); by sex: 20.2 vs. 22.6 pg g(-1) lipid in men and women (p=0.328); and by age: 20.8 vs. 21.3 pg g(-1) lipid in subjects aged 20-44 and 45-69 (p=0.505). No detectable levels of PCBs 52 and 101 were found. Significant differences by zone were found only for PCB 180 (p=0.041), with higher values in Zone C2, the zone with the lowest presumed contamination levels. Dioxin-like PCBs (p<0.001) and the most common PCBs (138, 153, 180) (p<0.001) were both statistically associated with age, higher values being found in the 45-69 age group.

Polychlorinated biphenyl residues in various fatty foods consumed in Guipúzcoa, the Basque Country (Spain).

Three congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)--the 2, 2', 3, 4, 4', 5'-, 2, 2', 4, 4', 5, 5'-hexachloro, and 2, 2', 3, 4, 4', 5, 5'-heptachlorobiphenyls--were determined in 18 samples of butter, 44 of fish (hake and anchovy) and 24 of egg, all of which came from markets in Guipúzcoa. The total content as Araclor 1260 was also determined. Quantitation was carried out by gas chromatography in a capillary column and electron capture detector. The total content in butter ranged from 20 to 60 ng/g (fat basis), in fish from 10 to 250 ng/g (edible part), and in eggs from 1 to 10 ng/g (edible part). None of these exceeded the tolerance limits established by the Canadian Government Guideline and USFDA.