PCDD PCDF LEVELS IN THE BLOOD OF WORKERS AT A PULP AND PAPER-MILL/

Blood samples from 34 workers at a pulp and paper mill and from 14 con trol persons were analysed for 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDDs and PCDFs. Th ere were no statistically significant differences in total lipid-adjus ted PCDD/PCDF concentrations, expressed as toxic equivalents, in blood plasma between the potentially exposed bleaching plant or paper mill workers and the controls. The mean level was 61 pg/g I-TEQ in bleachin g plant workers, 60 pg/g I-TEQ in paper mill workers and 49 I-TEQ pg/g in controls. Regarding the concentrations of individual isomers, howe ver, there was an indication that the blood plasma concentrations migh t be affected by the living and working environment.