Association Between Ambient and Serum Dioxin Concentrations in Residents Living Near a Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator

Dioxins are representative persistent organic pollutants generated during waste incineration that potentially affects human health. Residents living near municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) may be chronically exposed to dioxins, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation of potential health effects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between ambient and serum (in participants) dioxin concentrations around MSWIs.The study included 65 females (≥ 40–50 years old): 35 and 30 participants from the exposure (near the MSWIs) and control (far from the MSWIs) areas, respectively. Seventeen dioxin congeners in serum samples were analyzed using high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A questionnaire was administered to obtain food preference and general information. Ambient dioxin concentration data around the exposure and control area were obtained from local government environmental impact assessment reports. Differences in total serum dioxin toxic equivalency concentrations (ΣTEQ) by characteristics of participants and food preferences were compared. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to evaluate the distribution patterns of ambient and serum dioxin concentrations.Serum ΣTEQ was significantly higher in the exposure area (4.548 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid) than the control area (1.955 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid). Total ambient dioxin ΣTEQ was higher in the exposure area. No significant differences were observed in serum ΣTEQ according to participants’ characteristics and food preferences. PCA results showed that ambient and serum dioxin concentrations had distinct distribution patterns, with no differences between the exposure and control areas.Serum ΣTEQ were significantly higher in residents in the exposure area, suggesting the influence of ambient dioxin levels near MSWIs.