The Seveso accident: A look at 40 years of health research and beyond. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eskenazi, Brenda; Warner, Marcella; Brambilla, Paolo; Signorini, Stefano; Ames, Jennifer; Mocarelli, Paolo
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 121(2018)Part 1
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: BMI body mass index -- CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- DXA dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry -- EPIC European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition -- IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer -- IHD ischemic heart disease -- NIH National Institutes of Health -- PBPK physiologically-based pharmacokinetic -- PHA phytohemagglutinin (PHA) -- PWM pokeweed mitogen -- SWHS Seveso Women's Health Study -- SNP single nucleotide polymorphism -- SAB spontaneous abortion -- TCDD 2, 3, 7, 8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin -- TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone -- TT4 total thyroxine -- TEQ toxic equivalent; Dioxin -- TCDD -- Seveso -- Epidemiology -- Disaster; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: A 1976 chemical factory explosion near Seveso, Italy exposed residents to high levels of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetracholorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD or dioxin). Dioxin is a known human carcinogen and potent endocrine disruptor. It is highly lipophilic and has a long half-life in humans. Much of what we know and can learn about the risks of dioxin exposure on human health arose from the tragic circumstances of Seveso. This review aims to describe the Seveso accident, summarize the results of 40 years of research on the health of the Seveso population since the accident, and discuss next-stage research on the health of Seveso residents, their children, and grandchildren. Highlights: A 1976 explosion in Seveso, Italy exposed residents to high levels of dioxin. Many chloracne cases were diagnosed in Seveso residents, especially in children. TCDD levels were associated with decreased male and female fertility in Seveso. Increased risk for cancers and cardiometabolic outcomes has been noted.