One of the major contiminants of herbicides sprayed in Vietnam was 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). While there has been considerable work on the Ranch Hand Study and several other large epidemiological investigations on identifying the hazards associated with dioxin exposure, there has been less work on evaluating the potential degree of harm as a function of the level of exposure. In this presentation, we will examine both the epidemiological and the laboratory data on the effects of TCDD for both the magnitude of an effect as a function of exposure and the shape of the exposure-response curve. While some epidemiological investigations can be used for these purposes, others cannot due to limitations in the number of exposure categories available or in the way in which exposure is measured. In the laboratory data, this is less of an issue. Conclusions will be drawn on the strength of the evidence for thresholds on the effects of dioxins in humans.
Learning Objectives: This presentation will describe some of the difficulties involved in going beyond hazard identification and into dose-response assessment for the dioxins.
Keywords: Cancer, Environmental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.