Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0284 |
| Title: | Developing teeth as biomarker of dioxin exposure |
| Author(s): | Alaluusua S, Lukinmaa PL, et al. |
| Reference: | Lancet 1999; 353: 206-7. |
| Place of Study: | Finland |
| Abstract: | The authors examined dentitions of 102 children aged 6-7 years for the presence of hypomineralised enamel defects. The permanent first molars, which are mineralised during the first 2 years of life, were the target teeth. It was possible to measure concentrations of the most toxic polychlorinated dioxin/furan and 33 biphenyl congeners in milk samples, collected from the mother when the child was aged 4 weeks. Exposure of infant was evaluated from the duration of breastfeeding (mean 10.5 months) and the concentrations in milk ( after having taken into account a yearly 25% first order decline during lactation). Intrauterine exposure was estimated to correspond to the exposure via milk for two months. Mineralisation defects occurred more often and were more severe in children who had been exposed to higher amounts of polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons than in those exposed to lower amounts. Because defects are seen after exposure to very low concentrations, they may be the best available indicator of dioxin exposure |
| Keyword(s): | dental caries, dental defects, intra uterine pollution, milk pollution, teeth, tooth decay |
| Discussion: | The authors had previously shown that experimental exposure of rats to the most toxic dioxin (TCDD) leads to developmental defects of dental hard tissues. Chinese children born to mothers who were accidentally exposed to high levels of dioxins showed tooth problems similar to those in Finnish children. The results of this study represent one of the warnings suggesting that intrauterine pollution and milk pollution are major threats for the health of the unborn generations (cf studies about the fluctuations of sperm counts, undescended testicles, hypospadias, etc. |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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