Urinary concentrations of trichlorophenols in the Korean adult population: results of the National Human Biomonitoring Survey 2009

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 Feb;21(4):2479-85. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-2180-1.

Abstract

Trichlorophenols such as 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2, 4,5-TCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) are organochlorine compounds to which the general public can be exposed via contaminated food, water, and air. This study assessed exposure to 2,4,5-TCP and 2,4,6-TCP in Koreans age 18-69 years based on the Korean National Human Biomonitoring Survey conducted in 2009. Using data from 1,865 representative Koreans, we found that the geometric mean urinary concentrations of 2,4,5-TCP and 2,4,6-TCP were 83.4 pg/mL [95 % confidence interval (CI)=78.6-88.6] and 0.39 ng/mL (95 % CI=0.35-0.42), respectively. The creatinine-adjusted geometric mean 2,4,5-TCP and 2,4, 6-TCP levels were 78.8 ng/g creatinine (95 % CI=73.8-84.1) and 0.36 μg/g creatinine (95 % CI=0.33-0.40), respectively. Of the Korean adult population, about 67.5 and 87.5 % had respective urine 2,4,5-TCP and 2,4,6-TCP concentrations >0.05 ng/mL (the limit of detection, LOD). Urine 2,4,5-TCP concentrations were significantly associated with age and place of residence, whereas urine 2,4,6-TCP concentrations were higher in rural residents. These findings suggest that most Koreans had detectable levels of 2,4,5-TCP and 2,4,6-TCP in their urine and that the body burden of 2,4,5-TCP and 2,4,6-TCP varied according to demographic and geographic factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asian People
  • Chlorophenols / urine*
  • Data Collection
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollutants / urine*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Chlorophenols
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • 2,4,5-trichlorophenol
  • 2,4,6-trichlorophenol