ByCindy L. Zastrow, M.S.

Walden UniversityPUBH-8165-10 Environmental

Health

Explain what dioxins are Identify routes of exposure to dioxins Understand health effects associated with dioxin

exposure Identify the source of contamination in Midland

and Saginaw Counties Examine findings of University of Michigan

studies Review current remediation activities and goals Summary Establish a listing of additional resources

Byproduct of certain industrial processes and combustion Chemical manufacturing Pesticide manufacturing Paper bleaching processes Burning of household garbage Forest Fires Commercial waste incinerators

Have no use – are strictly waste

(Michigan Department of Community Health, 2001)

Actually a group of 210 chemicals that are similar in structure

When found in the environment, they are usually a mixture of several types of dioxins

Can be found in low levels in soil, lakes, rivers, air, and sediment throughout the world

Some dioxins are significantly more dangerous than others

(Michigan Department of Community Health, 2001)

The most toxic of the dioxin family is 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD)

All other dioxins are compared to 2,3,7,8-TCDD as the standard

Measurements of other dioxins are converted to reflect the equivalent comparison concentration to 2,3,7,8-TCDD

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

(Michigan Department of Community Health, 2001)

Dioxin measurements that have been converted to a 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentration are added together and are expressed as the Total Equivalent Concentration (TEQ)

(Michigan Department of Community Health, 2001)

Diet: Meats (animal fats) Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna,

trout) Dairy products (primarily full-fat)

Air: Breathing in polluted air from chemical plants,

commercial waste incinerators, paper mills, and metal smelters

(Department of Health and Human Services, 2006)

Occupational: Working in the chemical or pesticide

manufacturing industry Pesticide application Pressure treatment of wood products Working in a paper mill that uses a chlorinated

process Working at a commercial waste incinerator Cleaning up hazardous waste

(Department of Health and Human Services, 2006)

Image of Vicktor Yuschenko, victim of dioxin poisoning.(Freethought Forum, 2010)

Short Term Exposures: Skin lesions, sores, acne Darkening of the skin Liver damage

Long Term Exposures: Immune system damage Nervous system damage Endocrine system damage Reproductive issues

(World Health Organization, 2010)

Type 2 (Late Onset) diabetes Multiple myeloma cancer Lung cancer Prostate cancer Tracheal cancer Neurological developmental effects in

infants Less likely to father males

(World Health Organization, 2010)

(Perceptions, n.d.)

Dow Chemical Corporation, founded in 1897 Encompasses 1,900 acres in Midland Has two rotary-kiln waste incinerators Currently operates the Salzburg Road landfill Operated a landfill on Rockwell Road in the past Used to have an extensive chlorophenol

production line

(Department of Health and Human Services, 2001)

Various chemicals and pesticides have been produced by Dow Chemical, including:

Mustard gas Napalm Agent Orange Dursban Styrene Butadiene Picric acid Styrofoam and others

(Department of Health and Human Services, 2001)

Chlorophenol production at Dow began in 1915

Dioxin-containing wastes from this production line were initially dumped into retaining ponds

After sitting in ponds, wastes were intentionally dumped into the Tittabawassee River

Dow now operates it’s own wastewater treatment plant

(Department of Health and Human Services, 2001)

(Wikipedia, 2009)

Objective: Examine human reactions to dioxin exposure in the Midland and Saginaw areas where the Dow Chemical Corporation has operated for more than 100 years

Methods: All examinations of individuals from these areas are compared with results from a population that has no increased exposures to dioxins

Objective: Compare and contrast descriptive statistical data on serum concentrations, household dusts, and residential soil with other published values

Methods: 946 people were interviewed Serum samples taken Samples of household dust and residential soil collected

Results: Serum levels and soil concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the Tittabawassee River floodplain than in referent areas

(Hedgeman, E., Chen, Q., Hong, B., Chang, C., Olson, K., LaDronka, K., …Garabrant, D, 2009)

Objective: To identify why dioxin levels in populations in the Midland and Saginaw County area vary

Methods: 946 people were interviewed Serum samples taken Samples of household dust and residential soil

collected Results: Hunting and fishing, working at Dow

Chemical, and historic exposures pre-1980 contributed to higher dioxin levels

(Hedgeman, E., Chen, Q., Hong, B., Chang, C., Olson, K., LaDronka, K., …Garabrant, D, 2009)

Assessment of high-use properties for dioxin levels

Continued time-critical clean up actions in these high-use areas

Assess contaminated sediment and banks for potential movement

Continued time-critical clean up actions in unstable, highly-contaminated banks and sediment areas

(United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2009)

Separate approximately 30 miles of river into 5-7 segments

Comprehensive cleanup upstream-to-downstream segment-by-segment, first segment starting in 2011

Goal of completion for cleanup: 2018

(United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2009)

Dioxins are a group of byproduct-type chemicals that are not used for anything

Dioxins are dangerous to humans, causing a variety of physical ailments

The contamination in Midland and Saginaw counties is a result of hazardous waste dumping into the Tittabawassee River from Dow Chemical Corporation in Midland

Remediation is currently underway, with a goal of completion for the cleanup being 2018

Floodplain soil and sediment contamination: 

Al Taylor, 517-335-4799

Toxicity of Dioxin: Deborah Mackenzie-Taylor, Toxicologist,

WHMD, 517-335-4715Chris Flaga, Toxicologist, RRD, 517-373-

0160

Department of Health and Human Services. (2006). ToxFAQs ™ : Chemical agent briefing sheets (CABS): Dioxin. Retrieved on January 21, 2010 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/cabs/dioxins/

Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Petitioned health consultation: Dioxin contamination in soil in Midland, Michigan. Retrieved on January 22, 2010 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/midland/midland.html

Freethought Forum. (2010). Ukraine. Retrieved on January 22, 2010 from http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200412/r37289_93247.jpg

Hedgeman, E., Chen, Q., Hong, B., Chang, C., Olson, K., LaDronka, K., …Garabrant, D. (2009). The University of Michigan dioxin exposure study: Population survey results and serum concentrations for polychlorinated dioxins, furans, and biphenyls. Environmental Health Perspectives 117(5), 811-817.

Michigan Department of Community Health. (2001). MDCH fact sheet: Dioxins. Retrieved on January 21, 2010 from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Dioxin_Factsheet_82359_7.pdf

Perceptions. (n.d.). 10 county area. Retrieved on February 2, 2010 from http://www.perceptionssv.org/images/10county.jpg

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Timeline for achieving comprehensive cleanup: Tittabawassee River, Saginaw River & Bay contamination site. Retrieved on January 23, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/dowchemical/pdfs/dow-timeline-fs-200906.pdf

Wikipedia. (2009). Tittabawassee River. Retrieved on January 22, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tittabawassee_River

World Health Organization. (2010). Dioxins and their effects on human health. Retrieved on January 22, 2010 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs225/en/