Analysis of lipids and dioxin in chloracne due to tetrachloro-2,5,7,8-p-dibenzodioxin

Abstract

Biochemical investigations on the lipid and dioxin content of cysts and comedo-like lesions of 3 children exposed to tetrachloro-2,3,7,8-p-dibenzodioxin (TCDD) were performed. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry failed to demonstrate the presence of dioxin despite the high sensitivity of the method. Further investigation by TLC and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that the lipids of the chloracne lesions in these children were exclusively epidermal in origin. These findings supported the hypothesis that exposure to dioxin produced a hyperproliferative reaction of the cutaneous epithelium with squamous metaplasia of the cells lining the ducts of skin glands.