Persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in firefighters from Northern California

Polychlorinated and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs) were measured in serum of twelve firefighters sampled after a fire event in San Francisco, California, along with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p′-DDE, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), bisphenol-A (BPA) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA). TEQPCDD/F concentrations were relatively low (mean 5 pg g−1 (lipid weight), lw, range 1–11 pg g−1 lw), but concentrations of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD, a congener indicative of exposure during firefighting, were elevated. Tentative WHO2005-TEQs calculated for PBDD/Fs in our samples (mean 104 pg g−1 lw, range 0.2–734 pg g−1 lw) suggested that PBDD/Fs may contribute substantially to dioxin-like toxicity in individual firefighters. PBDE concentrations were elevated in firefighter serum (mean 135 ng g−1 lw, range 48–442 ng g−1 lw). PBDE-209, PBDE-47 and PBDE-153 were prevalent congeners; PBDE-209 contributed >50% of the total PBDE concentration in four individuals, implying continuous occupational exposure to deca-BDE. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) was the dominant PFC in serum (mean 12 ng ml−1 (wet weight), ww, range 3 ng ml−1 ww to 59 ng ml−1 ww), followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (mean 7 ng ml−1 ww, range 2 ng ml−1 ww to 12 ng ml−1 ww). Concentrations of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (mean 2 ng ml−1 ww, range 1–4 ng ml−1 ww) were higher than those reported in the high-smoke exposure group of World Trade Center fire responders, suggesting that the California firefighters were exposed to PFNA in smoke during firefighting. Given their elevated rates of cancers, these results illustrate the importance of monitoring halogenated contaminants including PBDD/Fs in firefighters.

► First study to measure PBDD/Fs in blood of firefighters.
► Distinctive PBDD/F, PCDD/F, PBDE, PFC congener patterns found in firefighter serum.
► The TEQPBDD/F was 21 times higher than the TEQPCDD/F in firefighter serum.
► PBDE profiles in serum indicated continuous occupational exposure to deca-BDE.
► Elevated PFNA levels suggested significant exposure to smoke during firefighting.