The "Dioxins and Incinerators" study was launched in 2005 by the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance in partnership with the French Food Safety Agency. Its goal was to compare dioxin levels, as well as lead and cadmium levels, in people exposed and unexposed to emissions from household waste incineration and to assess the impact of consuming local products on these levels. The study was conducted among approximately 1,030 randomly selected individuals, aged 30 to 65, living near eight household waste incineration plants. Analyses for dioxins (PCDD/F), PCBs, lead, and cadmium were performed, and information on diet and the environment was collected using questionnaires. The average concentrations of dioxins, lead, and cadmium were similar among individuals exposed and unexposed to incinerator emissions. No increased body burden due to inhalation exposure to dioxins, PCBs, lead, and cadmium was observed among residents living near the incinerators. However, consumption of local products such as dairy products, eggs, and animal fats increased dioxin body burden and, to a lesser extent, lead body burden. This relationship was particularly evident among farmers. Consumption of fruits and vegetables from areas exposed to the waste-to-energy plant plume did not influence exposure to dioxins and PCBs, lead, or cadmium. Furthermore, personal factors, such as age, body weight, and habitual dietary intake—particularly that of fishery products for dioxins—played a major role in exposure. (R.A.)