chemical information
CAS RN:
72918-21-9
Chemical Class:
Chemical SubClass
Manufacturing/Use Status
this chemical is not intentionally produced, it is a byproduct of another application
Found in these people:
Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Andrea Martin, Michael Lerner, Davis Baltz, Cord Blood Sample 18
Found in these locations:
Mill Valley, CA; New Orleans, LA; Sausalito, CA; Bolinas, CA; Berkeley, CA
Summary
Laboratory animals. CDFs cause toxicity to many organ systems including the liver, kidney, adrenal, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, reproductive tract and neurological system. Specific reproductive effect includes testicular toxicity, decreased testicular testosterone levels and inhibition of ovulation. Neurological effects include decreased activity and tremors at high doses. CDFs also cause anemia, altered lipid metabolism, reduced muscle mass ("wasting syndrome") and altered immunological effect. One of the most visible effects of CDF exposure are skin and nail abnormalities, including nail loss, nail hemorrhage, skin lesions, absent or atrophied sebaceous glands, loss of eyelashes and fingernails. Fetal exposure to CDFs cause placental lesions, kidney toxicity, fetal mortality, low birth weight, cleft palate, decreased thymus and lung weight, altered bone development and liver enzyme activity (ATSDR 1994b).
Humans. Most of what we know about CDF toxicity in humans comes from the poisoning of rice oil with PCBs in Japan (Yusho) in 1968 and Taiwan (Yu-Cheng) in 1978. The CDFs were produced when the PCB contaminated rice oil was heated before contamination and during cooking. The "Yusho and Yu-Cheng" patients developed a variety of symptoms, including: headaches; vomiting; diarrhea; anemia; skin anomalies (such as acne and increased pigmentation and inflammation); numbness; weakness; limb pain associated with nerve damage; decreased sensitivity to pain; decreased sensory nerve conduction velocity; irregular menstrual cycles; increased incidence of respiratory infections; decreased resistance to illness; increased triglyceride levels; liver toxicity and eye inflammation or discharge. Developmental effects include low birth weight, premature birth, hyperpigmentation of the skin and nails, deformed nails, eye inflammation, acne, pneumonia and bronchitis in newborns, delayed development and decreased IQ (ATSDR 1994b). A relatively recent study suggests that prenatal exposure to the toxic rice oil is associated with increased abnormal sperm morphology and reduced sperm motility (Guo, et al. 2000), although effects on fertility resulting from prenatal exposure is still unknown.
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF (hexafuran)
In chlorinated furan family of chemicals - pollutants from PVC production, industrial bleaching, incineration; cause cancer, may harm hormone system.
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF (hexafuran) has been found in 7 of the 34 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies. It has also been found in 3 of the 4,821 people tested in CDC biomonitoring studies.
Top health concerns for 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF (hexafuran) (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | limited |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | unknown |
Results for 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF (hexafuran)
in blood serum (lipid weight)
Showing results from EWG Study #3, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults, Pollution in Minority Newborns, San Francisco Reporter, EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults, EWG/Commonweal Study #4, industrial chemicals and pesticides in cord blood
EWG/Commonweal results
- geometric mean: 0.256 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- found in 7 of 34 people in the group
CDC biomonitoring results
- geometric mean: 1.84 pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- found in 3 of 4821 people in the group
| pg/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 38.5 | |
   | ||
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF (hexafuran) results
Detailed toxicity classifications (References)
| classification | governing entity/references |
| Limited evidence in humans - immune system toxicity | ATSDR (1998). Toxicological profile for chlorinated dibenzo-o-dioxins (CDDs): Health effects chapter. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp104.html |
| Birth defects - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed | ATSDR (1998). Toxicological profile for chlorinated dibenzo-o-dioxins (CDDs): Health effects chapter. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp104.html |
