The University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study: Population Survey Results and Serum Concentrations for Polychlorinated Dioxins, Furans, and Biphenyls

Background: The University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study was undertaken to address concerns that the discharge of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) from the Dow Chemical Company in the Midland, Michigan, area had resulted in contamination of soils in the Tittabawassee River floodplain and the city of Midland, leading to an increase in residents’ body burdens of these compounds. Objective: In this article we present descriptive statistics from the resident survey and sampling of human serum, household dust, and soil and compare them with other published values. Methods: From a multistage random sample of populations in four areas of Midland and Saginaw counties and from a distant referent population, we interviewed 946 adults, who also donated blood for analysis of PCDDs, PCDFs, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Samples of household dust and house perimeter soil were collected from consenting subjects who owned their property. Results: All five study populations were comparable in age, race, sex, and length of residence in their current home. Regional differences existed in employment history, personal contact with contaminated soils, and consumption of fish and game from contaminated areas. Median soil concentrations were significantly increased around homes in the Tittabawassee River floodplain (11.4 ppt) and within the city of Midland (58.2 ppt) compared with the referent population (3.6 ppt). Median serum toxic equivalencies were significantly increased in people who lived in the floodplain (23.2 ppt) compared with the referent population (18.5 ppt). Conclusions: Differences in serum dioxin concentrations among the populations were small but statistically significant. Regression modeling is needed to identify whether the serum concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs are associated with contaminated soils, household dust, and other factors

Application of interpersonal relationships in the development of multistory apartments

Physical space is highly congruent with social and conceptual structure. People cluster to gather because they share unwritten rules and non verbal communicating devices. Clearly the effectiveness of traditional settlements is due to the greater uniformity and sharing of symbols and a grater co-incidence of conceptual and physical environment. Significant neighbor hood characteristics inherent will be examined to reveal the life style of dwellers. Symbolic life style and other comparable factors seem more important than income in explaining the neighbor hood concept. The process of clustering helps cultures survive is important in terms of mutual help, urbanization and helps maintain cultural pattern. An in-depth knowledge of the subject area has become increasingly important in the built form of the city structure. In the Sri Lankan context it has become an efficient means of fulfilling the requirements of housing in the urban sector. The preservation of traditional patterns may be important not only for the survival of cultures but also the successful integration of villages in to growing cities. Therefore the transformation of community living in to the physical order of multistory buildings presents a great challenge to architects, due to its impact on the life style of dwellers. Accordingly, the dwelling responds to the individual and the family, the block, neighbor hood and distinct respond to various groups