TCDD-Levels in Soil and Plant Samples From the Seveso Area

Wipf, H.‐K.; Homberger, E.; Neuner., Nanz; Ranalder, U.B.; Vetter, W.; Vuilleumier, J. P.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-026256-7.50016-7

Cited by 26 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We find greatly elevated PCB concentrations in unwashed potatoes relative to washed, consistent with previous measurements of dioxin in root vegetables ( , ). The inner and outer lettuce leaf samples we analyzed contained approximately equal PCB concentrations, consistent with earlier measurements of dioxin in lettuce ().…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Influence of Harbor Contamination on the Level and Composition of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Produce in Greater New Bedford, Massachusetts

Cullen

Vorhees

Altshul

1996

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Samples of produce (tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and lettuce) from the area surrounding the New Bedford Harbor Superfund site were analyzed for the concentration and distribution of 47 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. Samples of produce from out of state also were analyzed for comparison purposes. New Bedford Harbor sediments are highly contaminated with PCBs, which may partition into the seawater and ultimately into air. During low tide, direct volatilization of PCBs is likely since the sediment is in contact with air. Also, sediment dredging, from the spring of 1994 until the fall of 1995, daily exposed fresh layers of contaminated sediment. Overall levels of PCBs in produce are within the range observed at local and out-of-state background sites, with the exception of greatly elevated levels in tomatoes grown during harbor dredging. Spatial and temporal differences in PCB concentrations and congener profiles indicate the effect of the harbor and other sources of environmental contamination. Our results are consistent with the view that atmospheric transport and gas-phase transfer play a pivotal role in influencing the concentration of PCBs in plant tissue. This work is an initial step toward gauging the significance of the consumption of local produce as a pathway of human exposure to PCBs in New Bedford before and during harbor dredging.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Influence of Harbor Contamination on the Level and Composition of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Produce in Greater New Bedford, Massachusetts

Cullen

Vorhees

Altshul

1996

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Immediately afte dent, TCDD levels reached va several milligrams/kilogram, wh vegetation that grew in the years the accident TCDD levels di several orders of magnitude (11 Shortly after the accident ai of animal deaths, mainly rabbits try, was noted (12). Table 1 rep Reference Early signs such as skin lesions and in zone particular chloracne were markers to identify people most probably exposed to TCDD (14).…”

Section: Human Indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Seveso Studies on Early and Long-Term Effects of Dioxin Exposure: A Review

Bertazzi¹,

Bernucci²,

Brambilla³

et al. 1998

Environmental Health Perspectives

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The industrial accident that occurred in the town of Seveso, Italy, in 1976 exposed a large population to substantial amounts of relatively pure 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Extensive monitoring of soil levels and measurements of a limited number of human blood samples allowed classification of the exposed population into three categories, A (highest exposure), B (median exposure), and R (lowest exposure). Early health investigations including liver function, immune function, neurologic impairment, and reproductive effects yielded inconclusive results. Chloracne (nearly 200 cases with a definite exposure dependence) was the only effect established with certainty. Long-term studies were conducted using the large population living in the surrounding noncontaminated territory as reference. An excess mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases was uncovered, possibly related to the psychosocial consequences of the accident in addition to the chemical contamination. An excess of diabetes cases was also found. Results of cancer incidence and mortality follow-up showed an increased occurrence of cancer of the gastrointestinal sites and of the lymphatic and hematopoietic tissue. Experimental and epidemiologic data as well as mechanistic knowledge support the hypothesis that the observed cancer excesses are associated with dioxin exposure. Results cannot be viewed as conclusive. The study is continuing in an attempt to overcome the existing limitations (few individual exposure data, short latency period, and small population size for certain cancer types) and to explore new research paths (e.g., differences in individual susceptibility).

show abstract

“…At a soil concentration of 10,000 ppt, fruits were found to contain not more than 37 ppt with 95% TCDD located in the peel. 17 This suggests that contamination of these plants grown on contaminated soil at Seveso occurred because of surfacedust deposition and adsorption on the outer layer of the fruits by volatilization from the contaminated soil. However, certain plants like carrots grown on contaminated soil from Seveso tend to take up, through the root system, a considerable amount of dioxins.…”

Section: Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Health Impact of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins: A Critical Review

Mukerjee

1998

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

122

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), commonly known as dioxins, form as unwanted impurities in the manufacturing of chlorophenol and its derivatives-pulp and paper-and in the combustion of municipal, sewagesludge, hospital, and hazardous waste. Combustion, in presence of a chlorine donor, seems to be a major source of these compounds. High levels of dioxins are also emitted from metallurgical industries including copper smelters, electric furnaces in steel mills, and wire reclamation incinerators. Trace levels are detectable in emissions from motor vehicles using leaded gasoline or diesel fuel, in forest fires, and in residential wood burning.Extremely persistent and widely distributed in the environment, PCDDs have been detected in all three primary and many secondary media. Releases into the air occur mainly from combustor emissions. Atmospheric dispersion, deposition, and subsequent accumulation in the food chain seem to be the major pathways of exposure to the general population. Residues of these chemicals have been detected in soil, sediment, fish, meat, cow's milk, human adipose tissue, and mothers' milk. In general, these chemicals have high lipophilicity. The elimination half-life of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in humans is approximately 7-11 years.Very little human toxicity data from exposure to PCDDs are available. Health-effect data obtained from occupational settings in humans are based on exposure to chemicals contaminated with TCDD. It produces a spectrum of toxic effects in animals and is one of the most toxic chemicals known. Most of the toxicity data available on TCDD are from high-dose oral exposures to animals. Very few percutaneous and no inhalation exposure data are available in the literature. There is a wide range of difference in sensitivity to PCDD lethality in animals. The signs and symptoms of poisoning with chemicals contaminated with TCDD in humans are analogous to those observed in animals. Dioxin exposures to humans are associated with increased risk of severe skin lesions such as chloracne and hyperpigmentation, altered liver function and lipid metabolism, general weakness associated with drastic weight loss, changes in activities of various liver enzymes, depression of the immune system, and endocrine-and nervous-system abnormalities. It is a potent teratogenic and fetotoxic chemical in animals. A very potent promoter in rat liver carcinogenesis, TCDD also causes cancers of the liver and other organs in animals.

show abstract

TCDD-Levels in Soil and Plant Samples From the Seveso Area

Cited by 26 publications

References 8 publications

Influence of Harbor Contamination on the Level and Composition of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Produce in Greater New Bedford, Massachusetts

Influence of Harbor Contamination on the Level and Composition of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Produce in Greater New Bedford, Massachusetts

The Seveso Studies on Early and Long-Term Effects of Dioxin Exposure: A Review

Health Impact of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins: A Critical Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About