Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in Blood Samples of Occupationally Exposed Workers From a Transformer Recycling Plant in Dortmund, Germany—Initial Findings

Abstract

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) were determined in 23 blood samples of exposed workers from a transformer recycling plant in Dortmund, Germany. Compared to the most recent studies on German background levels of adults, elevated concentrations of up to 71.6 pg WHO₂₀₀₅-TEq/g_{lipid base} were found for 8 participants, and for individual PCDF congeners for 15 participants.