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Epidemiology:
November 2008 - Volume 19 - Issue 6 - p S236
doi: 10.1097/01.ede.0000340200.58361.6a
Abstracts: ISEE 20th Annual Conference, Pasadena, California, October 12-16, 2008: Contributed Abstracts

The University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study: A Follow-Up Investigation of Cases with High Serum Concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-PENTACDF

Franzblau, A; Hedgeman, E; Knutson, K; Towey, T; Chen, Q; Hong, B; Adriaens, P; Demond, A; Garabrant, D H; Gillespie, B W; Lepkowski, J

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*Dept of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; †LimnoTech, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; ‡Dept of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; §Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; and ¶ Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Abstracts published in Epidemiology have been reviewed by the organizations of Epidemiology. Affliate Societies at whose meetings the abstracts have been accepted for presentation. These abstracts have not undergone review by the Editorial Board of Epidemiology.

ISEE-1211

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Background:

The 29 congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls that have consensus toxic equivalency factors were measured in serum of 946 subjects who were a representative sample of the general population in five Michigan counties. The study was motivated because of concerns about human exposure to dioxin-contaminated sediments in the Tittabawassee River (TR). Over 80% of the total toxic equivalency (TEQ) in TR sediments is due to two furan congeners, 2,3,7,8-TCDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF; only the latter congener has a prolonged serum half life in humans and can serve as a biomarker of exposure to contaminated sediment. The individual with the highest adjusted serum level of 2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF in the UMDES (42.5 parts per trillion, or 4.18 studentized residuals above the log-normalized mean after adjustment for age, age2, and body mass index) reported a unique history. From 1984-1996 he raised beef cattle in the flood plain of the TR (4-6 cows at a time). He never sold the meat commercially. He and his family ate the meat, and he also gave it to friends and family.

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Methods:

Interviews and serum samples were obtained from 15 friends and family members who ate the beef.

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Results:

The mean, median, and 95th percentile for serum 2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF in the study control population were 6.0 ppt, 5.4 ppt, and 13.0 ppt, respectively. The mean, median, and 95th percentile for serum 2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF for the beef consumers were 9.9 ppt, 8.4 ppt, and 20.5 ppt, respectively. When corrected for age, age2 and BMI, the mean serum 2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF level in friends and family members was 0.67 studentized residuals above the mean (range: -0.6 to 3.0 studentized residuals above the mean).

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Conclusion:

It appears that heavy consumption of beef raised on dioxin-contaminated soil can be an important pathway of exposure for persons who consume the beef.

© 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.