LAUSR

This is a continuation of previous work relating to chemical exposures of Vietnamese female e-waste recyclers. It is the first to describe levels of polychlorinated and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans in these women. Improved occupational and environmental protocols should decrease many different adverse health effects to dioxins and furans. Objective E-waste is rising globally. This is a follow up to our study reporting metals/polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s)/polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in female e-waste recyclers. Here we report polybrominated, polychlorinated dioxins/furans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in these same workers. Methods Female Vietnamese recyclers and non-recyclers recruited; blood samples collected. Polybrominated, polychlorinated dioxins/furans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls levels compared in recyclers, non-recyclers, and National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Results Recyclers >non-recyclers: 12378-PBDD, 2378-TBDF, 12378-PCDF, 123478-HxCDF, 123678-HxCDF, 1234678-HpCDF, PCB-126. Non-recyclers >NHANES: 123478-HxCDF, 123678-HxCDF, 234678- HxCDF, PCB-126, PCB-169. NHANES >non-recyclers: 12378-PCDD, 123478-HxCDD, 123678-HxCDD, 123789-HxCDD, 1234678-HpCDD, 123789-HxCDF, 1234678-HpCDF, 1234789-HpCDF, OCDF, PCB-81, PCB-114, PCB-156, PCB-157, PCB-167, PCB-189. Recyclers >NHANES: S: 2378-TeCDF, 12378-PCDF, 23478-PCDF, 123478-HxCDF, 123678- HxCDF, 234678-HxCDF, PCB-126. NHANES >recyclers: 12378-PCDD, 123478-HxCDD, 123678-HxCDD, 123789-HxCDD, 1234678-HpCDD, OCDD, 123789-HxCDF, 1234678-HpCDF, 1234789-HpCDF, OCDF, PCB- 81, PCB-114, PCB-156, PCB-157, PCB-189. Conclusion 12378 PCDD, 2378-TCDD, PCB 126 makeup most total dioxin equivalences (TEQs) in AQ5 these workers, indicating increased exposure; remediation indicated.