Determination of tissue–blood partition coefficients for a physiological model for humans, and estimation of dioxin concentration in tissues

The tissue–blood partition coefficients for a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model were determined, and the concentrations of 17 congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in tissues in Japanese people were estimated using the model. According to the PBPK model established by Lawrence and Gobas [Chemosphere 35 (1997) 427–452], we assumed a steady-state fugacity model for Japanese people in general, and set the route of PCDD/Fs exposure only from food intake. The required partition coefficients for liver, kidney, adipose, muscle, skin, bile, gut and viscera (richly perfused tissue) were calculated using available autopsy data from eight Japanese men and women who were not accidentally exposed to PCDD/Fs. For validation of the partition coefficients, estimated PCDD/F concentrations in liver, kidney, fat, blood and muscle using the model were compared to other two sets of measured concentration data in Japanese tissues. Good agreement was obtained between estimated data and measured data, and most of the measured data were within the simulated concentration range in liver, kidney, blood and muscle. From these results, our model and calculated partition coefficients seem applicable for the estimation of congener-specific concentrations in human tissues.