Clinical and metabolic abnormalities associated with occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Washington Occupational Health Associates, Inc., Washington, D.C.
A cross-sectional study of 120 male workers was conducted to determine the prevalence of increased polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) absorption as well as the presence of potentially related clinical and metabolic abnormalities. Three exposure categories (''exposed'', ''nominally exposed'', ''nonexposed'') were defined. Complete work histories, clinical histories, physical examinations and laboratory tests, including plasma PCB determinations were obtained. In addition, fat PCB levels were determined in randomly selected subjects in each exposed group. Evidence of dermatotoxicity was observed and elevated PCB levels were noted more frequently in the exposed group (p < .00001), correlating well with age and duration of employment. These correlations were stronger for fat (p < .001) than for plasma (p < .01) PCB levels. In the exposed group, significant correlations were found between plasma PCB and serum triglyceride (p < .00001) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels (p < .01). These correlations remained significant after controlling for either age or length of employment. No significant correlations were found between PCB levels and levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or levels studied on liver function tests other than SGOT. Further analyses relating frequency of reported direct contact with PCB levels suggested a dermal route of exposure. An analysis by union affiliation demonstrated that those in crafts involving greater direct exposure had correspondingly higher elevations of PCB levels.
- OSTI ID:
- 5656910
- Journal Information:
- J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Vol. 24:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Health effects of low-level exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls
Evaluation of potential health effects associated with serum polychlorinated biphenyl levels
Related Subjects
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
TOXICITY
ADIPOSE TISSUE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BLOOD PLASMA
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HEALTH HAZARDS
INJURIES
PATIENTS
PERSONNEL
SKIN
ANIMAL TISSUES
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TISSUES
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)