Assessment of Dioxins Exposure of Contract Workers for Incinerator Maintenance in North of Taiwan

• Main Authors: Yi-Lin Wu, 吳懿霖
• Other Authors: Ching-Chang Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/f2jc76

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 環境醫學研究所 === 90 === Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are chemically and biologically similar compounds and highly toxic chemicals. The municipal waste incinerator (MWI) is thought to be an important potential source of these chemicals in the environment. Analyses of incinerator ash and incinerator emissions have shown the presence of PCDD/Fs. Among workers of incinerator, contracted maintain workers are highest likelihood of exposure to incinerator slag and fly ash, as these workers were involved in inspections and repairs of the filter and inside the ovens. The objectives of this study were to investigate the PCDD/Fs exposure of contracted maintain workers in the MWI plants. Then we could provide the suitable suggestions for the protection of workers improvement by this finding. In this study, three municipal waste incineration plants (A, B and C) in north of Taiwan were selected as study subjects. Serum samples of workers were collected before and after maintenance work. 48 blood samples were collected from the workers of three municipal waste incineration plants, and the serum concentrations of PCDD/Fs, biochemical test, hormone test and immunofluorescence staining were measured. At the same time, questionnaire interviews were proceed to obtain dietary habit, life style, body mass index, personal exposure data and time activity pattern. There are 29 male and 2 female workers among the study subjects. The average maintenance times were 11.8, 6.9, and 4.6 times in plants A, B and C, and the average PCDD/Fs concentration of after work were 21.4, 26.4 and 20.5 pg-TEQ/g-lipid, respectively. The 10 biochemical tests results show that the measured values of Uric Acid (UA), Cholesterol (Chol), and Triglyceride (TG) are higher than normal value, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, T4, testosterone and estradiol are all in the normal range. The T4 and E2 concentration of the workers at plant B were significant lower than before work. The immunofluorescence staining results show that CD3/CD8 and CD26 markers were significant increased after maintenance work, and the results indicate that the occupational exposure may activate T cell and T-help cell immune system. In the study, some of the immunofluorescence staining and hormone test results have significant difference before and after maintenance work. The data shows that the PCDD/Fs life average exposure concentrations of three plants were 2.7, 3.3 and 2.5 pg-I-TEQ/kg/day. The results were all in the WHO daily tolerance dose range (1~4 pg-I-TEQ/kg/day) but the PCDD/Fs average concentrations were higher than residents. We suggest that the workers should use personal respirators during working hours to avoid their exposure to PCDD/Fs.