Trends in Dioxins and PCBs in Women from Chapaevsk, Russia
Author Information
Author(s): Olivier Humblet, Oleg Sergeyev, Larisa Altshul, Susan A Korrick, Paige L Williams, Claude Emond, Linda S Birnbaum, Jane S Burns, Mary M Lee, Boris Revich, Andrey Shelepchikov, Denis Feshin, Russ Hauser
Primary Institution: Harvard School of Public Health
Hypothesis
What are the temporal trends in serum concentrations of dioxins, furans, and PCBs among women in Chapaevsk, Russia?
Conclusion
The study suggests that serum concentrations of dioxins, furans, and PCBs are decreasing over time among women in Chapaevsk.
Supporting Evidence
- The average total toxic equivalency (TEQ) decreased by 30% from 36 to 25 pg/g lipid.
- The average sum of PCB congeners decreased by 19% from 291 to 211 ng/g lipid.
- Total TEQs decreased for seven of the eight women.
Takeaway
The levels of harmful chemicals in the blood of women living in a Russian town have gone down over nine years.
Methodology
Serum samples were collected from eight women in 2000 and 2009 and analyzed using gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from the small sample size and lack of longitudinal dietary data.
Limitations
The small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 21 to 27 years at enrollment, all living in Chapaevsk since 2000.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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