Morbidity in New Zealand pesticide producers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)

Objectives: To conduct a cross-sectional morbidity survey among 245 former employees of a pesticide production plant exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in New Zealand. Methods: Demographic factors and health information were collected in face-to-face interviews. TCDD, lipids, thyroid hormones, glucose and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were determined in non-fasting blood. For 111 participants, a neurological examination was conducted. Associations between health outcomes and working in a TCDD exposed job (prevalence 49%) and serum TCDD concentration≥10pg/g lipid (18%) were assessed using logistic regression whilst controlling for age, gender, smoking, body mass index and ethnicity. Results: Diabetes was more common in those who had worked in TCDD exposed jobs (OR 4.0, 95%CI 1.0–15.4) and in those with serum TCDD ≥10pg/g (OR 3.1, 95%CI 0.9–10.7). Non-fasting glucose levels >6.6mmol/l were more common in those with TCDD exposed jobs (OR 3.6, 95%CI 1.0–12.9), as were serum free thyroxine 41.7mmol/l (OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.1–5.7) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)