Levels and congener distributions of PCDDs,PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in environmental and human samples: a review |
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Authors: | K Srogi |
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Institution: | (1) Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal, Zamkowa 1, 41-803 Zabrze, Poland |
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Abstract: | The term “dioxins” is often used in a confusing way. In toxicological considerations—and also in the present report—the term
is used to designate the PCDDs, the PCDFs and the coplanar (“dioxin-like”) PCBs, since these classes of compounds show the
same type of toxicity. Because of the large number of congeners, relevant individual congeners are assigned with a toxic equivalency
factor (TEF) that relate their toxicity to that of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (2,3,7,8-TCDD) and are to be evaluated as dioxins. Each concentration of an individual congener in a mixture
is multiplied with its TEF, and the resulting TCDD equivalents are added up and expressed as WHO-endorsed toxic equivalents
(WHO-TEQ). Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are mainly the by-products of industrial processes (such as metallurgical
processing, bleaching of paper pulp, and the manufacturing of some herbicides and pesticides) but they can also result from
natural processes like volcanic eruptions and forest fires. Waste incineration, particularly if combustion is incomplete,
is among the largest contributors to the release of PCDDs and PCDFs into the environment. Due to their persistence, PCDDs,
PCDFs and PCBs are part of the so-called persistent organic pollutants group of compounds that also include some chlorinated
pesticides. Since they have a high lipophilicity and resist transformation, they bio-accumulate in animal and human adipose
tissues. Consumption of food is considered as the major source of non-occupational human exposure to PCDD/Fs with foodstuffs
from animal origin accounting for more than 90% of the human body burden. With meat, dairy, and fish products being the main
contributors. The aim of the present review was to summarize experimental data regarding dioxin emissions from contaminated
and uncontaminated biological and environmental samples, from the available literature. The information will be presented
chronologically with respect to distribution in human milk, serum; food, water, air, soils and sediments. |
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Keywords: | Polychlorinated dibenzofurans Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins Polychlorinated biphenyls Human tissue Soil Water Food Air Sediments Occupational exposure |
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