This study examines levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-pdioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and trace metals in the blood of the nonoccupationally exposed residents living in the vicinity of municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) and electric arc furnaces (EAFs). The analysis found that older females had higher concentrations of PCDD/Fs and older males had higher body mass index (BMI) values and higher concentrations of PCDD/Fs. Moreover, sex appeared to affect the levels of PCDD/Fs because, overall, females showed higher levels of PCDD/Fs. The results of a principal component analysis indicated that the characteristics of the blood were more similar to the characteristics of the stack flux gas in MSWIs than those in EAFs. When sex, age, and BMI values were taken into consideration, none of the factors appeared to significantly affect PCDD/F and trace metal blood levels. However, when participants were divided into eight categories and analyzed, it was found that sex was the most important factor affecting levels of trace metals in blood and that males had higher concentrations of Pb, Al, Cd, and Cu.
INTRODUCTIONPolychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been considered to be one of the most toxic substances affecting human health in recent decades. PCDDs involve 75 mono-to octachlorinated congeners and PCDFs included 135 congeners. Only 17 of the 210 PCDD/Fs were monitored because of their significant toxicities and resistance to biological and chemical degradation. 1 PCDD/Fs may be transported through the atmosphere and precipitated into soil, water, and vegetation by wet and/or dry deposition and diffusion. [2][3][4][5][6] Moreover, because of the lipophilicity of PCDD/Fs, these compounds bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain, which increases the risks for human and animal health 7