Created on : 12.02.2026 Last modified : 12.02.2026

Serum dioxin concentrations in the Lausanne population – A pilot population-based survey

Switzerland, 2023

Reference ID

10.16909-dataset-61

DOI

https://doi.org/10.16909/dataset/61

Producer(s)

David Vernez, Aurélie Berthet

Collections

Department of occupational and environmental health (DSTE)

Metadata

DDI/XML JSON

Identification

Survey ID number

10.16909-dataset-61

Title

Serum dioxin concentrations in the Lausanne population – A pilot population-based survey

Translated Title

Etude d’imprégnation de la population lausannoise aux dioxines – Etude pilote basée sur la population

Country

Name	Country code
Switzerland	CHE

Abstract

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are ubiquitous in the environment and the main route of exposure for humans is food. A high and widespread soil contamination was discovered in 2021 in Lausanne city. Previous human exposure assessment study showed that consumption of home-produced eggs and cucurbits were dominant exposure scenarios. In the absence of epidemiological data in Switzerland, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 2023 to assess the difference between control (n=50) and exposed (n=51) groups, living in the contaminated area and reporting to consume selected home-produced foods (eggs and cucurbits). We sampled blood serum and asked the participants to fill several questionnaires on their lifestyle and dietary habits.

Primary objective: Assess exposure to PCDD/Fs from dietary intake of foods produced in contaminated areas of Lausanne
Secondary objective: Correlate serum concentrations of endocrine disruptors with the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) response
Third objective: Determine the exposure determinants influencing the serum concentrations of PCDD/Fs and OCPs

Kind of Data

Survey data, Face to face medical visit

Unit of Analysis

Individuals

Version

Version Date

Scope

Keywords

Environmental Exposure

Coverage

Geographic Coverage

This study focused on the soil contamination of Lausanne, selecting healthy volunteers from Lausanne and surrounding areas.

Producers and sponsors

Primary investigators

Name	Affiliation
David Vernez	Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Aurélie Berthet	Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

Producers

Name	Affiliation	Role
Oltramare Christelle	Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	Co-author, researcher
Markus Zennegg	EMPA	Co-author, researcher
Murielle Bochud	Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	Co-author, researcher
Valentin Rousson	Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	Co-author, researcher
Julien Riou	Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	Co-author, researcher
Yves Henchoz	Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	Co-author, researcher

Funding Agency/Sponsor

Name	Abbreviation
Department of Health, Canton of Vaud	DGS

Other Identifications/Acknowledgments

Name	Affiliation	Role
Agathe Deschamps	Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	Study nurse

Sampling

Sampling Procedure

Sample size =102

Survey instrument

Questionnaires

Online questionnaire

Data collection

Dates of Data Collection

Start	End	Cycle
2023-05-01	2023-09-15	1

Mode of data collection

Internet [int]

Access policy

Location of Data Collection

Unisanté Data repository

URL for Location of Data Collection

https://doi.org/10.16909/61

Data Access

Access authority

Name	Affiliation	URL	Email
Documentation and data unit (UDD)	Unisanté, University Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland	https://www.unisante.ch/fr/formation-recherche/bibliotheque	udd.data@unisante.ch

Access conditions

This dataset is submitted to the Federal Act on Research involving Human Beings (HRA). Therefore, an ethical approval will be required to use this dataset.
The Data transfer agreement must be signed before releasing the dataset

Citation requirements

Vernez, D., Berthet, A., Oltramare, C., Zennegg, M., Bochud, M., Rousson, V., Riou, J., & Henchoz, Y. Serum dioxin concentrations in the Lausanne population – A pilot population-based survey. Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Version 1.0 of the licensed dataset (02/2026), provided by the Unisanté Research Data Repository. DOI:https://doi.org/10.16909/dataset/61

Availability Status

The dataset is available on request for research purpose only.
To get access to data, the following procedure must be followed:
· Create an account (Login → Register)
· Go to the Data Catalog and click on the study of interest (https://doi.org/10.16909/dataset/61)
· Once on the study page, click on the tab "Data Access"
· Fill in the application form and submit
· The request will then be reviewed by Unisanté. If accepted, a Data transfer agreement will be created
· Sign the Data transfert agreement
Important: Before submitting a request, please check whether the data is at all useful for your project. The codebooks with the corresponding information are filed under Documentation and do not require registration.

Disclaimer and copyrights

Contacts

Name	Affiliation	Email
David Vernez	DSTE, Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	david.vernez@unisante.ch
Aurélie Berthet	DSTE, Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	aurélie.berthet@unisante.ch
Christelle Oltramare	DSTE, Unisanté, Center for Primary Care and Public Health & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland	christelle.oltramare@unisante.ch

Metadata production

DDI Document ID

10.16909-dataset-61

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