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Evaluation of PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB serum concentration data from the 2001–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the United States population

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 17, pages 358–371 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

We analyzed the weighted 2001–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data to assess potential differences in mean total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) TEQ between various groups of individuals and to determine serum reference concentrations for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the general US population. Differences appeared to exist between female smokers and non-smokers and between non-Hispanic groups and all other races. Potential differences were also observed among the four age groups with an increasing trend in mean total TCDD TEQ with increasing age. Both age and gender appeared to confound the association between smoking status and total TCDD TEQ, dictating the need for further analysis. As anticipated, PCBs contributed appreciably to the total TCDD TEQ levels in the referent population and accounted for 38% to 41% of the total TEQ depending on age. Nearly 80% of the mean total TCDD TEQ was attributable to four PCDD/F congeners and three PCB congeners. In this analysis, two methods were used to assess samples where the concentrations were below the limits of detection (LODs), and this did not have significant impact on the mean total TCDD TEQ at the higher percentiles and for older individuals. Comparison of our results to those from a recent PCDD/F biomonitoring study indicates that the mean TCDD TEQ serum concentration of the individuals studied does not appear to be different from typical levels found in the general US population. Additionally, an assessment of data from the National Human Adipose Tissue Survey using our referent statistics shows that levels of these chemicals have been declining in the general population for at least two decades. The reference TEQs presented in this paper provide relevant, current data that can be used to evaluate biomonitoring results of individuals or groups exposed or potentially exposed to PCDD/Fs and PCBs above referent levels.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Matt Lorber and Lesa Aylward for their assistance and contributions to this paper. Funding for these analyses was provided by the Dow Chemical Company. One or more of the authors has served as an expert witness in litigation involving Dow Chemical.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ChemRisk Inc., Suite 350, 10375 Richmond Avenue, Houston, 77042, TX, USA

    Laura L Ferriby & Mark Harris

  2. ChemRisk Inc., Suite 300, 4940 Pearl East Circle, Boulder, 80301, CO, USA

    Jeffrey S Knutsen

  3. ChemRisk Inc., Three Gateway Center, Suite 1652, 401 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15222, PA, USA

    Kenneth M Unice

  4. ChemRisk Inc., Suite 1800, 25 Jessie Street, San Francisco, 94105, CA, USA

    Paul Scott & Dennis Paustenbach

  5. Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health L.L.C., 615 W. Markham, Little Rock, 72201, AR, USA

    Paul Nony

  6. ChemRisk Inc., Suite 114, 3420 Executive Center Drive, Austin, 78731, TX, USA

    Laurie C Haws

Authors
  1. Laura L Ferriby
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  2. Jeffrey S Knutsen
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  3. Mark Harris
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  4. Kenneth M Unice
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  6. Paul Nony
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  7. Laurie C Haws
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  8. Dennis Paustenbach
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Laura L Ferriby or Mark Harris.

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Disclaimer

This analysis was funded by the Dow Chemical Company, which has been studying PCDD/Fs for more than four decades. The firm has been and is currently involved in litigation related to PCDD/F contaminated soils. Each of the authors has researched the toxicology, epidemiology and risk assessment issues on dioxins and has provided consultations to various industrial, commercial, and governmental clients regarding the underlying science and presented their interpretations in academic, regulatory, and/or litigation settings.

Dr. Paustenbach has been and continues to serve as an expert in dioxin litigation involving Dow Chemical Company.

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Ferriby, L., Knutsen, J., Harris, M. et al. Evaluation of PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB serum concentration data from the 2001–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the United States population. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 17, 358–371 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500498

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