[Home transfer of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane?]

Persons living together with workers who have been exposed to dioxins, furans or hexachlorocyclohexane, accumulate increased concentrations of these molecules in the blood and in fatty tissue, in comparison with normal people. This result is based on an investigation of 14 workers and their female partners. The workers had been contaminated with high concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and moderate concentrations of beta-HCH, respectively, in contrast with their female partners who had never been exposed to these poisons. Nevertheless, the female partners accumulated a significant amount of these molecules, corresponding to 10% of the concentrations of their male partners. The origin of this correlation is still unknown. As a working hypothesis, we discuss the possibility of molecular transfer by clothing and underwear. The clinical consequences of these findings are still unclear. Further observations are needed.