Dioxin furan blood lipid and attic dust concentrations in populations living near four wood treatment facilities in the United States.

To evaluate historical exposure from wood treatment facilities, attic dust samples were collected from residential structures and blood samples were collected from current and past residents of four communities surrounding wood treatment facilities throughout the United States. The pattern of dioxin/furan congeners detected in both attic dust and blood samples was found to be consistent with exposure to contaminants generated during the wood treatment process. Levels in the U.S. population of 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-p-dibenzodioxin toxic equivalents (2,3,7,8-TCDD TEQs) for all 17 carcinogenic dioxin/furan congeners as well as octa-chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) adjusted to its TEQ value and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-hepta-chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD) adjusted to its TEQ value were compared to the TEQ levels in the combined data set for all four communities and in the data sets for each individual community. TEQ concentrations in these communities were found to be significantly greater than in the general U.S. population. The levels of dioxins in attic dust were compared to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regional screening levels and found to far exceed the levels that are regarded as safe for the general population. These findings reveal that a very significant potential for contaminant-related health risks exists in communities surrounding wood treatment facilities.