Age-dependent congener profiles of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the general population of Taiwan

Jing Fang Hsu, Yu Chen Chang, Pao Chi Liao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A congener profile of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) could provide valuable information for identifying possible sources of exposure to these compounds. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with PCDD/F congener profiles in the general population of Taiwan. Serum samples from 251 subjects of the general population in Taiwan were collected, and the levels of 17 2,3,7,8-chlorinated substituted PCDD/Fs were measured. The relationships between PCDD/F congener profiles and demographic parameters were evaluated using a multivariate analysis of variance method (MANOVA). Of the five demographic factors investigated, age was found to have the greatest impact on PCDD/F congener profiles. The PCDD/F congener pattern for the group I subjects (aged 18-29) was significantly different from those for the other three older age groups (p<0.001), and 12 congeners contributed to the effects (difference index: 71%). In addition, the group I subjects did not exhibit trends parallel to those of the other groups in the relationship between age and PCDD/F levels. Age was associated with PCDD/F levels and congener profiles in the general population of Taiwan and the young subjects (aged 18-29) was quite different from the other older subjects that could be influenced by the individual differences in pharmacokinetics and/or background exposure from dietary sources. We conclude that investigators must consider subjects' age and other underlying factors that could influence PCDD/F congener profiles in humans when identifying exposure sources.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)469-477
Number of pages9
JournalChemosphere
Volume81
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Sept

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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