Neurobehavioral dysfunction in firemen exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): Possible improvement after detoxification

Journal Article · · Archives of Environmental Health; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1989.9935904· OSTI ID:7189194

Kilburn, K H ^[1]; Shields, M G ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles (USA)
2. Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education, Los Angeles, CA (USA)

Fourteen firemen exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their by-products generated in a transformer fire and explosion had neurophysiological and neuro-psychological tests 6 mo after the fire. They were re-studied 6 wk later after undergoing 2-3 wk of an experimental detoxification program consisting of medically supervised diet, exercise, and sauna. A case-control comparison with firemen matched from the same department, but who did not participate in controlling the transformer fire, had shown significant impairment of memory for stories, visual images, and digits backwards. Cognitive function was impaired for block design, identifying embedded figures, and design association and recognition using Culture Fair. Making of trails and choice reaction time, which measured cognitive function and perceptual motor speed, were also impaired. These signs of protracted neurobehavioral impairment were attributed to PCBs and heat-produced by-products. No relationship, however, was found between the firemen's serum or fat levels of PCBs as Arochlor 1248 and their type or degree of neurobehavioral impairment. Retesting following the detoxification program showed significantly improved scores on: three memory tests, block design, trails B, and embedded figures. Thus, there was significant reversibility of impairment after the detoxification interval. However self-appraisal scores for depression, anger, and fatigue-which were initially elevate-and for vigor- which was reduced-did not change across this interval.

• OSTI ID: 7189194
• Journal Information: Archives of Environmental Health; (USA), Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health; (USA) Vol. 44:6; ISSN AEHLA; ISSN 0003-9896
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AROMATICS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DETOXIFICATION
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FIRE FIGHTING
FUNCTIONS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
SYMPTOMS
TRANSFORMERS