Dioxins

Diagnostics and Chemical Markers of Exposure

The Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch develops and performs unique laboratory tests to measure organic environmental chemicals in people. Examples of available laboratory tests are shown in the table above. It lists the most common names for these chemicals, and their Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers. Many of the chemicals, however, go by alternative names. Please visit the National Library of Medicine ChemID database websiteexternal icon and enter the chemical’s CAS Number. The page displayed after this search will include the chemical’s structure, and alternative names.

Laboratory Methods Panels

CDC’s laboratory methods are intended to evaluate population exposures and to support states in situations considered a public health concern. Please see the “Methods’ Access” tab in the tables found after clicking on each of the listed chemicals for additional information regarding these methods. Currently, CDC’s Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch does not have the capability of generating pilot or preliminary results in support of proposals to obtain public or private funds for a larger project.

Table of laboratory methods panels for Dioxins
Chemical Specimen Type
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
CAS No. 1746-01-6
blood
1,2,3,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PeCDD)
CAS No. 40321-76-4
blood
1,2,3,4,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HxCDD)
CAS No. 39227-28-6
blood
1,2,3,6,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HxCDD)
CAS No. 57653-85-7
blood
1,2,3,7,8,9-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HxCDD)
CAS No. 19408-74-3
blood
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-Heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HpCDD)
CAS No. 37871-00-4
blood
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD)
CAS No. 3268-87-9
blood

Laboratory Method: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/nhanes_03_04/l28_c_met_dioxins.pdfpdf icon

Serum dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls are associated with growth among Russian boys
Burns JS, Williams PL, Sergeyev O, Korrick S, Lee MM, Revich B, Altshul L, Del Prato JT, Humblet O, Patterson DG Jr, Turner WE, Needham LL, Starovoytov M, Hauser R
Journal article published in Pediatrics, 2011.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/1/e59.longexternal icon

Cryogenic zone compression for the measurement of dioxins in human serum by isotope dilution at the attogram level using modulated gas chromatography coupled to high resolution magnetic sector mass spectrometry
Patterson DG Jr, Welch SM, Turner WE, Sjodin A, Focant JF
Journal article published in Journal of Chromatography A, 2010
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967310014792?via%3Dihubexternal icon

Predictors of serum dioxins and PCBs among peripubertal Russian boys
Burns JS, Williams PL, Sergeyev O, Korrick S, Lee MM, Revich B, Altshul L, Patterson DG Jr, Turner WE, Needham LL, Saharov I, Hauser R
Journal article published in Environmental Health Perspectives, 2009.
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/0800223/external icon

Serum dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and endometriosis: a case-control study in Atlanta
Niskar AS, Needham LL, Rubin C, Turner WE, Martin CA, Patterson DG Jr, Hasty L, Wong LY, Marcus M
Journal article published in Chemosphere, 2009.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653508012940external icon

On the isolation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans from serum samples using immunoaffinity chromatography prior to high- resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Huwe JK, Shelver WL, Stanker L, Patterson DG Jr, Turner WE
Journal article published in Journal of Chromatography B, Biomedical Sciences and Applications, 2001
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378434701001591external icon

CDC’s laboratory methods are intended to evaluate population exposures and to support states in situations considered a public health concern. CDC does not provide individual health care or assessment unless as part of a broader public health investigation requested by federal or state agencies, such as a health department. Currently, CDC’s Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch does not have the capability of generating pilot or preliminary results in support of proposals to obtain public or private funds for a larger project.

Detecting levels of an environmental chemical in a person’s blood or urine does not necessarily mean the chemical will cause adverse health effects or disease. Advances in analytical methods enable CDC to measure very low levels of environmental chemicals in people, but research studies of varying levels of exposure are needed to determine if specific levels cause health effects. Consulting a clinician with a toxicological background to assist with the interpretation of results is recommended.

Samples to be tested should be processed through a state health department laboratory, and should conform to the laboratory’s reporting procedures. These laboratory methods often require that the sample be collected by a particular method, or sometimes with particular pre-screened collection devices, to minimize external contamination. Following the correct sample collection protocol is necessary for accurate sample measurement. Please contact the laboratory that will be analyzing the sample to learn the sample collection instructions before collecting the samples.

Contact DLSLab@cdc.gov for more information or questions about these laboratory methods.

Page last reviewed: March 6, 2019