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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Immunological effects of environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins in Dutch school children
Nynke Weisglas-Kuperus1, Hestien J I Vreugdenhil, Paul G H Mulder
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University and University Hospital/Sophia Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands. n.weisglas@erasmusmc.nl
Insights
Perinatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins may affect children's health. Higher postnatal PCB exposure linked to more ear infections, while prenatal exposure associated with less wheezing in school-aged children.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Perinatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants like PCBs and dioxins is linked to immune alterations in early childhood.
- The long-term immunological consequences of such exposures into later childhood remain less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the persistent immunological effects of perinatal exposure to PCBs and dioxins in Dutch school-aged children.
- To assess the association between prenatal and postnatal PCB/dioxin exposure and specific health outcomes in later childhood.
Main Methods:
- Study included 167 Dutch children at school age.
- Assessed perinatal exposure to PCBs and dioxins.
- Evaluated health outcomes, including recurrent middle ear infections and respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath with wheeze, via parent questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Higher postnatal PCB exposure was correlated with an increased prevalence of recurrent middle ear infections.
- Higher prenatal PCB exposure was associated with a reduced occurrence of shortness of breath with wheeze.
- These findings suggest subtle health effects even at current environmental exposure levels.
Conclusions:
- Immunological effects of perinatal PCB and dioxin exposure may persist into school age.
- Environmental exposure to these chemicals can be associated with subtle, yet measurable, health impacts in children.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the long-term health consequences.
Abstract:
Perinatal exposure to PCBs and dioxins is associated with immune changes in healthy Dutch preschool children. To examine whether such effects persist into later childhood, we here report on the immunological effects of perinatal exposure to PCBs and dioxins in 167 Dutch children at school age. A higher postnatal PCB exposure was associated with a higher prevalence of recurrent middle ear infections and a higher prenatal PCB exposure with less shortness of breath with wheeze, as assessed by parent questionnaire. Our data indicate that, at environmental levels of these man made chemicals, subtle health effects may occur.
