Residues of pentachlorophenol and other chlorinated contaminants in human tissues: Analysis by electron capture gas chromatography and electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry

Abstract

Samples of human tissues including testes, kidneys, prostate glands, livers, and adipose tissues removed at autopsy were analyzed for pentachlorophenol (PCP) and nonachloro-2-phenoxyphenol (NCPP); the fat samples were also analyzed for other chlorinated contaminants. Electron capture gas chromatography was used to quantitate the residues after isolation and cleanup. Identity of the residues was confirmed by electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry. All tissues analyzed for PCP tested positive with a range from 0.007 ppm (microgram/g) in subcutaneous fat to 4.14 ppm in testis. Residues of NCPP were much lower, ranging from levels below the detection limit to 0.59 ppm in testis. The highest average residues, based on the lipid content of the tissue, of PCP (1.09 ppm) and of NCPP (0.19 ppm) were found in testis followed by kidney (0.95 ppm PCP), prostate (0.84 ppm PCP), and liver (0.59 ppm PCP). Residues of these chemicals in the adipose tissues were on the average about 40 times lower than the residues in the non-fatty tissues. Other chlorinated contaminants found in the subcutaneous fat included hexa-, hepta-, and octa-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins at sub-ppb levels and DDE averaging 2.47 ppm.

Toxicological Profile of Chlorophenols and Their Derivatives in the Environment: The Public Health Perspective

“…Wagner and colleagues [57] reported residues of PCP found in human testes, kidney, prostate gland, liver, and adipose tissue. PCP is usually found in blood and urine at concentrations ranging from a few to several micrograms [56, 58], PCP concentrations in blood of persons who live in PCP-treated log homes were reported to vary between 69 to 1340  μ g/L, while workers permanently exposed to this substance may have PCP amounts of up to 84.9 ppm/L of blood serum [59].…”

Analysis of annual fluctuations in the content of phenol, chlorophenols and their derivatives in chlorinated drinking waters

“…Due to their strong toxicity and the ability for bioaccumulation of tetrachlorophenol (TeCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in organs and adipose tissue (Mussalo-Rauhamaa et al 1989;Wagner et al 1991), chlorophenols have been considered to be particularly dangerous for the environment and human beings. Chlorocatechols are formed in the environment from other chloroaromatics, e.g., chlorophenols, chlorobenzenes, and chlorinated biphenyls (Im et al 2004).…”

Effects of exposure to Diazinon on the lung and small intestine of Guinea pig, histological and some histochemical changes

“…The environmental contamination with pesticides is a problem of the regional as well as world-wide importance (EPA, 1999). The toxic chemicals have been found in a variety of environmental samples including water, air and house dust, and their presence has also been noted in the tissues of non-occupationally exposed people, particularly in the adipose tissue, blood and urine (Wagner et al 1991). The organophosphate insecticide diazinon has agricultural, commercial, and household uses, but the household uses predominate.…”