Discovery and epidemiology of PCB poisoning in Taiwan: a four-year followup
An outbreak of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) poisoning from the consumption of contaminated rice oil, covering four counties in central Taiwan, was investigated. There were 1843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. The severity of clinical manifestations varied. Most patients showed symptoms of mild or moderate severity. The major age group affected was between 11 and 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factor workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 g and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately 3 to 4 months. The patients blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 ppb to 1156 ppb; 44.27% of 613 patients had levels of 51 to 100 ppb and 27.6% PCB blood levels over 100 ppb. In the course of 3.5 years, 2061 persons were determined to be PCB poisoning victims. Now, except for a few severe cases, their skin symptoms are very much improved. Thirty-nine babies showing hyperpigmentation were born from PCB-poisoned mothers. The fatality rate was high: eight of them died. Another 24 deaths were reported among the PCB-poisoned group, almost half of them (12) from hepatoma, liver cirrhosis or liver diseases with hepatomegaly.
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
- OSTI ID:
- 5321352
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Vol. 59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
INGESTION
CHILDREN
EPIDEMIOLOGY
HEPATOMAS
LIVER
LIVER CIRRHOSIS
MORTALITY
PATIENTS
SKIN
TAIWAN
AGE GROUPS
AROMATICS
ASIA
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DISEASES
GLANDS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INTAKE
ISLANDS
NEOPLASMS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)