CHLORINATED DIOXINS AND DIBENZOFURANS IN HUMAN TISSUES FROM VIETNAM, 1983-84.

In contrast to findings in previous studies of breast milk obtained from south Vietnam in 1970 and 1973 no 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) was detected in the 1983 breast milk samples. However, higher mean levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD, the dioxin characteristic of 2,4,5-T (a component of Agent Orange), were found in some of the adipose tissues from the south of Vietnam than were previously found in most U. S. studies. In samples from Hanoi, where there was no exposure to Agent Orange, the level was nondetectable at a 2 to 3 part per trillion detection level. This population had tissue levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD lower than any other known population studied to date. Hanoi patients also had lower penta- through octachlorinated dioxin levels than have been detected in other populations from industrial countries. Additional aspects of the subject are discussed.