141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

285874
Serum concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins among users of ball clay

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 3:18 PM - 3:34 PM

Alfred Franzblau, MD , Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Kendra Broadwater, BS , Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
William Luksemburg , Vista Analytical Laboratory, El Dorado Hills, CA
Martha Maier , Vista Analytical Laboratory, El Dorado Hills, CA
Xiaohui Jiang , Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
David Garabrant , Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Avery Demond , Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI
John Meeker , Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Background/Objectives: Natural contamination of ball clay with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) was discovered in 1997. Reported average TEQ in ball clay has ranged up to 1500 pg/g. As many as 13.4 million adults in the US may have recreational contact with ball clay. No studies have attempted to assess blood levels of PCDDs among users of ball clay. We characterized serum TEQ due to PCDDs among ceramicists and compared this with the general population. Methods: Ceramicists were recruited from two sources: long-term (>10 years) ceramicists who were members of the Michigan Ceramics Arts Association, and current employees of a local commercial ceramic company. Study participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about diet, employment, demographics and clay practices. A 40 mL blood sample was drawn from each participant and was analyzed for 7 PCDD congeners and adjusted for lipid content. Results: Among long-term ceramicists (n=13) the mean duration of clay use was 32 years; among the commercial workers (n=14) the mean duration of clay use was 6 years. Serum TEQ of study subjects was compared to the control population of the University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study using published regression models adjusted for age, smoking, sex, breast feeding and BMI. Using all 27 subjects, or using long-term ceramicists and commercial workers separately, the mean serum TEQ concentrations were not elevated above background levels. Conclusion: Results from a convenience sample of long-term ceramicists and commercial ceramics workers show no evidence of significant absorption of PCDDs despite long-term contact with ball clay.

Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
Explain the potential public health impact of PCDD exposure from ball clay. Analyze serum of ball clay users for PCDDs. Compare serum PCDD levels among ball clay users with the general population.

Keywords: Occupational Exposure, Environmental Exposures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been author or co-author on more than 20 peer-reviewed papers related to dioxins in the environment.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Dow Chemical Company Dioxin research Independent Contractor (contracted research and clinical trials)

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.