POPULATION EXPOSURE TO CHLOROPHENOLS, DIBENZO-P-DIOXINS AND DIBENZOFURANS AFTER A PROLONGED GROUND-WATER POLLUTION BY CHLOROPHENOLS

High concentrations of 70 to 140 μg/l of total chlorophenols were found in the drinking water of about 3,500 inhabitants in southern Finland in 1987. Total chlorophenol levels from 56,000 μg/l to 190,000 μg/l were found in the ground water between a sawmill and the water intake plant. In the present study an attempt was made to assess the exposure levels of inhabitants in order to provide the basis for epidemiological studies and risk assessment. Based on urinary excretion of chlorophenols it appears that the population using contaminated water, or fish from the contaminated lake, had been exposed to chlorophenols. No increased PCDD/PCDF concentrations were found in milk samples from mothers who had used the contaminated water. © 1990.