Serum PCDD/F levels in metropolitan populations living near a municipal solid waste incinerator in Eastern China

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 346; p. 140549
• Main Authors: Yu, Jun, Chen, Chao, Wang, Chen, Liu, Lvye, Chen, Hong, Li, Hui, Liu, Yongdi, Kuang, Xingya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2024
• Subjects: air; Air Pollutants - analysis; blood serum; China; Dibenzofurans - analysis; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated - analysis; Environmental Monitoring - methods; gender; health promotion; human health; Humans; Incineration; incinerators; Inhalation exposure; lipids; metropolitan areas; MSWI; municipal solid waste; PCDD/Fs; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analysis; principal component analysis; Serum; Solid Waste - analysis; toxicity; Urban populations; China; Urban populations; Serum; Inhalation exposure; PCDD/Fs; MSWI
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140549

Ambient exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) is suspected to cause adverse human health outcomes. Herein, serum samples from 40 residents in the neighborhood of a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) in the metropolitan area were measured for PCDD/Fs. The mean toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentration of total PCDD/Fs in human serum samples was 16.8 pg TEQ/g lipid. Serum PCDD/F levels were significantly higher in residents adjacent to the MSWI than in those from areas far from the emission source (p < 0.01). In addition, there were no significant associations between serum PCDD/Fs levels and factors, such as gender, age, and BMI in donors. For non-occupationally exposed populations, OCDD and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD in serum are available as indicators of total PCDD/Fs and total TEQ, respectively. The atmospheric PCDD/Fs levels were within a relatively low range in areas upwind and downwind of the MSWI. The results of the principal component analysis showed a distinct difference in PCDD/F congener patterns between air and serum samples, suggesting inhalation exposure could have a limited influence on the human body burden. Our findings will deepen the current knowledge of endogenous PCDD/F exposure in urban populations, and also facilitate public health protection strategies near MSWIs. [Display omitted] •This study is the first report of serum PCDD/F levels in urban populations around the MSWI in mainland China.•Higher levels of PCDD/Fs were observed in the serum samples from residents close to the MSWI.•Gender, age, and BMI of the subjects exhibited no significant correlation with the internal exposure levels of PCDD/Fs.