Is it true that Dow AgroSciences workers who were around during the 2,4,5-T manufacturing days are likely to have higher blood dioxin levels than local residents?
That is possible but at this stage we do not know the serum dioxin levels for the site’s workers. Overseas studies have shown that occupationally exposed workers do have higher levels but this varies greatly. The largest single plant worker study in the world has monitored about 2200 Dow workers in Midland, Michigan, some of whom developed the disease chloracne, a condition resembling acne which is known to be associated with very high levels of exposure to dioxin. No New Plymouth workers have ever developed chloracne, which suggests local levels of exposure were lower. It is important to recognize that even among these substantially exposed workers in Midland, there is no evidence beyond chloracne of any increased health impact including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Furthermore, the incidence of miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects among the offspring of male study participants was assessed and found no increase in the risk of these outcomes related to dioxin exposures.
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