Exposure of arc-furnace-plant workers to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs)

Hsiu Ling Chen; Tung Sheng Shih; Po Chin Huang; Chia Yi Hsieh; Ching Chang Lee

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.10.059

Exposure of arc-furnace-plant workers to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs)

Hsiu Ling Chen, Tung Sheng Shih, Po Chin Huang, Chia Yi Hsieh, Ching Chang Lee

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate serum polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) levels in electric-arc-furnace workers according to their corresponding occupational exposure. In addition, the ambient PCDD/Fs of the work environment were measured to provide additional support for the exposure and accumulation inside the electric arc furnace. The ambient PCDD/F concentrations inside the electric arc furnace were 1.557-1.917 pg-TEQ/N m³, 5-24 folds higher than those outside (0.080-0.385 pg-TEQ/N m³). In addition, higher average serum levels were measured in the workers with high occupational dioxin exposure (24.0 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid) than in those with lower occupational dioxin exposure (13.8 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid). Higher PCDFs/PCDDs ratios were found in serum samples from high-exposure groups than in low-exposure groups. The higher ratio of PCDFs/PCDDs was also found in ambient samples consistent with other metallurgical processes reported previously. Our results suggest that PCDD/Fs exposure exits in the smelting process of electric arc furnace, and the occupational hygiene should be taken more seriously concern in that workplace.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	666-671
Number of pages	6
Journal	Chemosphere
Volume	64
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.10.059
Publication status	Published - 2006 Jul

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Environmental Engineering
Environmental Chemistry
General Chemistry
Pollution
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.10.059

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title = "Exposure of arc-furnace-plant workers to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs)",

abstract = "This study aimed to evaluate serum polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) levels in electric-arc-furnace workers according to their corresponding occupational exposure. In addition, the ambient PCDD/Fs of the work environment were measured to provide additional support for the exposure and accumulation inside the electric arc furnace. The ambient PCDD/F concentrations inside the electric arc furnace were 1.557-1.917 pg-TEQ/N m3, 5-24 folds higher than those outside (0.080-0.385 pg-TEQ/N m3). In addition, higher average serum levels were measured in the workers with high occupational dioxin exposure (24.0 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid) than in those with lower occupational dioxin exposure (13.8 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid). Higher PCDFs/PCDDs ratios were found in serum samples from high-exposure groups than in low-exposure groups. The higher ratio of PCDFs/PCDDs was also found in ambient samples consistent with other metallurgical processes reported previously. Our results suggest that PCDD/Fs exposure exits in the smelting process of electric arc furnace, and the occupational hygiene should be taken more seriously concern in that workplace.",

author = "Chen, {Hsiu Ling} and Shih, {Tung Sheng} and Huang, {Po Chin} and Hsieh, {Chia Yi} and Lee, {Ching Chang}",

note = "Funding Information: We are grateful for the patience and understanding of all who participated in this study. We are also in great debt to our colleagues at the Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, for sampling and analytical assistance. This study was supported by grants from the Council of Labor Affairs in Taiwan. ",

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AU - Huang, Po Chin

AU - Hsieh, Chia Yi

AU - Lee, Ching Chang

N1 - Funding Information: We are grateful for the patience and understanding of all who participated in this study. We are also in great debt to our colleagues at the Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, for sampling and analytical assistance. This study was supported by grants from the Council of Labor Affairs in Taiwan.

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N2 - This study aimed to evaluate serum polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) levels in electric-arc-furnace workers according to their corresponding occupational exposure. In addition, the ambient PCDD/Fs of the work environment were measured to provide additional support for the exposure and accumulation inside the electric arc furnace. The ambient PCDD/F concentrations inside the electric arc furnace were 1.557-1.917 pg-TEQ/N m3, 5-24 folds higher than those outside (0.080-0.385 pg-TEQ/N m3). In addition, higher average serum levels were measured in the workers with high occupational dioxin exposure (24.0 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid) than in those with lower occupational dioxin exposure (13.8 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid). Higher PCDFs/PCDDs ratios were found in serum samples from high-exposure groups than in low-exposure groups. The higher ratio of PCDFs/PCDDs was also found in ambient samples consistent with other metallurgical processes reported previously. Our results suggest that PCDD/Fs exposure exits in the smelting process of electric arc furnace, and the occupational hygiene should be taken more seriously concern in that workplace.

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Exposure of arc-furnace-plant workers to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs)

Abstract

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