Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) concentrations in the environment and blood of residents living near industrial waste incinerators in South Korea

Industrial waste incinerators (IWIs) are the main sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), a group of persistent organic pollutants that include known carcinogens. However, data on PCDD/Fs exposure levels in the environment and among residents living near these facilities are insufficient. We aimed to identify PCDD/Fs exposure concentrations in the environment and blood of residents living near IWIs and examine factors affecting PCDD/Fs exposure. PCDD/Fs concentrations were systematically measured at the outlets of IWIs, as well as in the atmosphere, soil, and blood. PCDD/Fs concentrations at the IWIs outlets (0.00108–0.36039 ng I-TEQ/ Sm3) were below the emission standards established by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Control Act in Korea. The average PCDD/Fs concentration in the atmosphere of the exposure area (0.0242 pg I-TEQ/Sm3) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the control area (0.0073 pg I-TEQ/Sm3). The blood PCDD/Fs concentrations in residents from the exposure area (3.13 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipids) were higher than those from the control area (2.74 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipids). However, this difference was not statistically significant. In the exposure area, blood PCDD/Fs concentrations were significantly associated with recent meat consumption (p < 0.05) and showed a borderline increase with longer residence duration (p = 0.07). This study confirmed that the current concentrations of PCDD/Fs in the environment and the blood of residents living near IWIs were not high. However, given the potential health impacts of PCDD/Fs, even at low concentrations, sustained efforts to mitigate exposure are essential through continuous environmental monitoring and effective source control.