Estimates of the half-life of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in Vietnam veterans of operation ranch hand

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398909531288· OSTI ID:5015265

Pirkle, J L; Wolfe, W H; Patterson, D G; Needham, L L; Philips, D L ^[1]; Michalek, J E; Miner, J C; Peterson, M R ^[2]

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1. Public Health Service, Atlanta, GA (USA)
2. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, TX (USA)

A half-life of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD; commonly known as dioxin) in serum has been measured in 36 Air Force Vietnam Veterans of Operation Ranch Hand, which was the operation that aerially sprayed the herbicide Agent Orange in Vietnam. From serum specimens taken in 1982 and 1987, the median half-life of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in these Ranch Hand veterans was found to be 7.1 yr (95% confidence interval about the median of 5.8-9.6 yr). These veterans reported no civilian exposure to dioxin or herbicides. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the 1982 serum specimens from these veterans ranged from 16.9 to 423 parts per trillion on a lipid weight basis. The half-life estimates were not associated with the concentration of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the 1982 serum specimens. This half-life of 7.1 yr is much longer than the half-life of 2,3,7,8-TCDD reported in animals but is consistent with recent evidence from other human exposures to 2,3,7,8-TCDD.

• OSTI ID: 5015265
• Journal Information: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA) Vol. 27:2; ISSN JTEHD; ISSN 0098-4108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AROMATICS
ASIA
BIOLOGICAL HALF-LIFE
BLOOD SERUM
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONTAMINATION
DIOXIN
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MILITARY PERSONNEL
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
RETENTION
SOUTH VIETNAM