more on ATSDR dioxin detoxification

["Jon Campbell" <jon@cqs.com>]

Hello, folks,

       There has been some question about whether I'm making a mountain out
of a molehill. According to a mail message I received yesterday, ATSDR is
claiming that their original dioxin MRL of 1 pg/kg/day, published in 1988,
is based on non-cancer effects, and they are not changing it.

        While the latter statement is true (they are re-publishing 1
pg/kg/day) the former statement appears to me to not be true. The huge
red-covered document that I have in my lap is marked "Toxicological Profile
for Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins, Draft for Public Comment, Update". Inside
is the COMPLETE toxicological profile for TCDD and congeners, 600 pages,
including 100 PAGES of dioxin study references. The Minimum Risk Level (MRL)
is very clearly stated for ALL health effects, not just
reproductive/developmental.

        It appears to me (people, please correct me if I am mistaken here)
that if this Toxicological Profile is published as is, that there will be a
contradiction between what EPA says is "acceptable maximum dose" of .006
pg/kg/day, and what ATSDR says is the Minimum Risk Level at 1 pg/kg/day, a
difference of a factor of 200 (or so).

        Is this analysis correct? I'm in the process of formulating a formal
letter to ATSDR. I don't want to waste my time. Pat? Theo? Anyone?

Thanks
Jon Campbell