This paper is a critique of a study by Aberg et al. (2010), which assessed the level of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) contamination at a Swedish sawmill site. The health significance of the study was to outline the nature of health risks affecting people who lived around the contaminated site. PCDD/F contamination is a significant public health topic because it is carcinogenic. Independent research studies have also shown that it increases mortality levels by increasing the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (Aberg et al., 2010). Through its impact on health, Aberg et al. (2010) described the types of health risks that the population faced because of PCDD/F contamination. Similarly, by identifying the nature of pollutants, the researchers exposed how to minimize exposure to PCDD/F and prevent further contamination. This review would be useful in managing the environmental risks of PCDD/F contamination.
The design study chosen by Aberg et al. (2010) limits their scope to a local study context. Indeed, their study focused on Sweden and the industrial pollutants that affected one geographical region (site-specific risk assessment). Furthermore, the study used site-specific modeling techniques, complemented by a few measurement data to undertake basic assessments of PCDD/F contamination (Aberg et al., 2010). It is difficult to extrapolate the findings beyond the context of the contaminated site because the data collection process only focused on specific pollutants present in a small geographical region. Therefore, the study has a local impact, as opposed to a global impact.
Within the localized nature of the research study, Aberg et al. (2010) filled an important research gap in environmental risk assessment because past research studies (of a similar nature) only analyzed a limited number of media exposure and exposure routes. The study filled this research gap by using comprehensive approaches, and multiple exposure pathways, to explore the contaminated research site. For example, Aberg et al. (2010) analyzed the exposure levels at the contaminated site through ten pathways. This research approach introduced a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and health risks of PCDD/F contamination.
The methodology used by the researchers was articulate and appropriate to the nature of the paper. The researchers used scientific metrics to take field measurements of exposure media and to explore the level of contamination by assessing PCDD/F levels in the blood serum of local populations (Aberg et al., 2010). They also analyzed different foods, such as carrots, eggs, milk, and raspberries to investigate the extent of contamination for PCDD/F. Comprehensively they gave elaborate details about their sampling strategy (as supporting information). For example, they used isotope dilution method and calibration standards for quantification, quality assurance, and quality control purposes. The average recoveries (of 75% to 96%) produced reliable findings (Aberg et al., 2010).
Aberg et al. (2010) found that a specific marker congener affected the contamination levels at the site. They also found out that the dioxin toxic equivalents (TeQ) at the contamination site were higher than the national average. Lastly, they found out that the people who participated in the clean up exercise at the exposure site had very high levels of PCDD/F contamination (Aberg et al., 2010). I agree with the authors’ findings because the PCDD/F contamination had occurred over a long period (1862-1970) and was likely to have permeated through multiple exposure methods. This long exposure period also explains why contamination levels were higher than the national average.
I believe the findings of Aberg et al. (2010) promote social change because they increase awareness regarding the potential health and environmental impacts of industrial activities on societies. Similarly, they increase awareness regarding the type of chemicals that could affect local communities exposed to PCDD/F contaminants (plus their environmental and health effects). Based on the contextual nature of the findings and the proven negative health impact of PCDD/F contaminants, I would propose that health officials quarantine the area and look for scientific ways to minimize the level of contamination in the area. This step would minimize the exposure of human and livestock to the pollutants.
References
Aberg, A., Tysklind, M., Nilsson, T., Macleod, M., Hanberg, A., Andersson, R.,..Wiberg, K. (2010). Exposure assessment at a PCDD/F contaminated site in Sweden–field measurements of exposure media and blood serum analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 17(1), 26–39.