Metabolic and health consequences of occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls.

Abstract

In surveys of three groups of workers occupationally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) serum PCB concentrations were quantitated as lower chlorinated biphenyls (L-PCBs) and higher chlorinated biphenyls (H-PCBs). Serum L-PCB and H-PCB concentrations were many times greater among workers employed in power capacitor manufacturing than among the general population, even comparing employees never assigned to work in PCBexposed areas. Statistically significant positive correlations of symptoms suggestive of mucous membrane and skin irritation, of systemic malaise, and altered peripheral sensation were noted with increasing concentrations of serum PCB. No clinical abnormalities attributable to exposure to PCB were observed. Serum PCB concentrations were positively and significantly correlated with glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), and plasma triglyceride, and inversely correlated with plasma high density lipoproteincholesterol. These correlations were present across all study sites. These findings are indicative of PCBs' physiological effect on the liver, whose long-range health significance is unknown. Nevertheless, the consistent positive association of serum PCB w'th plasma triglyceride and negative association with plasma HDL-cholesterol may have long-wrm cardiovascular consequences.Polychlonnated biphenyls (PCBs), a class of chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, have become widely dispersed in the environment.

Studies on populations exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls.

“…No excess of circulatory system deaths was noted. However, the small number of deaths in this cohort to date results in insufficient power to clear concerns regarding the carcinogenicity or other long latency health effects from PCB exposure (23). For example, the power of this retrospective study to detect 2-fold and 3-fold increases in risk for death from liver cancer was 13 and 33 percent respectively; in risk for death from liver cirrhosis, the power to detect 2-fold and 3-fold increases was 50% and 97%.…”

Symptoms, signs and findings in humans exposed to PCBs and their derivatives.

“…Positive correlations were also found with lower enzyme activities, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), and plasma triglycerides. The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed an inverse correlation with plasma PCB (37).…”

Xenobiotic reduction and clinical improvements in capacitor workers: A feasible method

“…Untoward human health effects related to such exposures include chloracne, 5,23,26-29 eye irritation and swelling of eyelids, 27,30-32 skin rashes and discoloration, 23,27,[32][33][34][35][36] gastrointestinal, 27,28,34,36 and neurological 33,36,38 symptoms. Malaise, fatigue, muscular and joint pains, and sleep disturbances 30,34,36 appeared more frequently among exposed persons. Alterations of lipid metabolism and] "liver enzyme" activities 28,30,34,35,[38][39][40] have also been observed.…”

“…Malaise, fatigue, muscular and joint pains, and sleep disturbances 30,34,36 appeared more frequently among exposed persons. Alterations of lipid metabolism and] "liver enzyme" activities 28,30,34,35,[38][39][40] have also been observed. The possibility that additional symptoms may arise following exposure to other industrial chemicals and organic solvents has been emphasized 23,36,41 43 .…”