Document B55BQR81jkez6X0eV56kerLXL

Use and Health Effects of Aroclor 1242, a Polychlorinated Biphenyl, in an Electrical Industry IIOliY K. OUW. D.P.H., M. App. Sc. GEOFFREY & SIMPSON DAV1N0KR S. S1YALI lloallh Commission of New South Wales, Avitiitli ABSTRACT Atodor 1242, a chlorinated biphenyl, ia widely uicd at a dielectric medium in tranaformen and capacitors. In this survey, tMrty-four occupationally exposed workers were examined. Complaints consisted of a burning sensation of the face and hands, MM, and a persistent body odor. One had chtoracnc, and five suffered from an eaematous rash on the tegs and hands. Aithough hepatic function tests were normal, the mean Mood Atodor level in the exposed group (approximately 400 ppb) wee riptiflcantiy higher than in the control group. A tentative value of 200 ppb is suggested for Aroclor 1242 as an acceptable level for occupationally exposed workers. The use of an efficient exhaust ventilation to maintain air concentrations below the thredioid limit value, and the regular measurements of hepatic function and of Mood Aroclor concentrations in exposed workers era recommended. ALTHOUGH THE USE of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBi, began as early as 1881, (heir widespread applica tion In industry did not begin until 1930.' Because of their chemical and thermal stability the PCBs are used in various countries as dielectric fluids in transformers and capacitors; as plasticers in paints, plastics, resins, inks, and adhesives; and as components of hydraulic fluids. In this study employees of an electrical industry were ex amined. A typical condenser as manufactured in the electrical industry is mainly for power factor correction in an electrical work and consists of a system of two conductors enclosed In a tin casing (80x60x30 cm). The toxicology of PCBa in man is less well known than that of the chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, e. g., DDT. Industrial exposure has been reported to cause chloracne,*"4 and Flinn et al. have described ten cases of fatal PCB or naphthalene poisonings, and, in all cases, found fatty degeneration, necrosis, and cirrhosis uf the liver.* Because of the potential adverse medical effects of Aroclor on the workers, the Division of Occupational Health and Radiation Control of the Health Commission in New South Wales conducted a survey in 1974 to de termine the degree of absorption and the toxicologic effects of this substance. . J'lly/Auflutl 1976 Methods Aroclor used in the industry was of electrical grade and did not contain any impurities. Aroclor concentrations in the air inside an industrial plant were measured and thirtyfour workers who were occupationally exposed for vary ing periods to Aroclor were examined. In addition to the occupational and past histories (including amount of alcohol, drug intake, and previous history of hepatitis), blood samples were collected for Aroclor estimations and hepatic function tests. Bromsulphalcin (BSP) excretion tests were also carried out on seven volunteers whose blood Aroclor contents were above 500 ppb. Glass syringes and containers wre used in blood collection, as plastic equipment may contain trace amounts of PCBs, which may cause erroneous analysis results.4 The anti coagulant used in the containers was heparin. Thirty control volunteers from the Division of Analytical Laboratories of the Health Commission of New South Wales, were also interviewed and examined; none had an occupational history of exposure to PCBs. The extraction of PCBs from blood samples, their separation from other pesticide residues, and their sub sequent chromatographic analyses, were catricdout by the Division uf Analytical Laboratories. Each I-gram sample of whole blood was shaken for S minutes in a M0NS 086437 119 5 mi stoppered test tube with 2 ml of 2% sodium sulfate solution, and then shaken for a further 5 minutes with 2 ml of nanograde hexane. The mixture was then placed in an ultrasonic bath for 20 minutes and centrifuged for a further S minutes until there was dear separation of hexane and blood mixture. The hexane extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and injected directly into the gas chromatograph (Hewlett Packard 7610 Gas** Liquid Chromatograph) without any further dean up for identification and quantification. The column oven was equipped with s S foot long glass column packed with Varaport 30 coated with 3% silicone UCW98. The detector had a pulsed power supply with 63Ni as the radioactive source for ionization. A mixture of methane 5% and argon 95% was used as a carrier gas. The temperatures of the Injection block, column oven and detector were maintained respectively at 220 C, 205C, and 280C. For the air analysis in industrial plants, the operators' breathing zones were sampled with a Grcenburg Smith Impinger at 30 I/m into 75 ml of isopropanol. Tire iso* propanol used for sampling was rendered PCB-frcc by distillation. In most cases a sample volume of I m3 of air was taken. The isopropanol was analysed for PCBs using a gas-liquid chromatograph with a tritium detector. Because several peaks were found, the seven principal peak heights were considered. Since different PCB preparations give different peak heights and patterns, standards were prepared from the actual PCB in use. PCBs were analysed using Perkin tinier F.l 1 gas chromatograph. The column was packed with gaschrome A 80*100 mesh with 5% Q.F(. Nitrogen was used as a carrier gas. The temperatures of injection block, column, and detector were 210C, 200C, and 200*0 respectively. Table 2,-Blood Arodor Levels and Abnormal Liver Function Test Results of Thirty-Four Exposed Workers No. Afe, yr/Stx Duration of Exposure, yr niood Arodor Level fnnh) detention Time* Relative to Aldrln 1 , 0.69 | 1.31 | 1.47 | 1.96 Bilirubin, /mot// Alkaline Phosphatase. jenot// Impresnstion Room Workers 1 51/M 2 35/M 3 S6/M 4 41/M 5 46/M 6 36/M 7 40/F 8 54/M 9 50/M 10 34/M 11 36/M 12 46/M 13 S7/M 14 SI/M IS 45/M 16 44/K 17 49/F 18 41/F 19 46/F 23 S 23 8 >0 19 6 12 2 6 3 3 6 6 1/* 2 1 1/12 4 seo 179 130 100 S40 S70 1.510 340 650 3e0 1,470 440 1.376 550 55S 170 149 18! 1,700 370 117 170 140 310 450 790 ISO 330 130 194 1,037 290 91 69 79 729 340 es 150 340 600 120 340 620 230 1.099 160 297 879 10 1.540 270 80 Process Workers , 45/F 2 47/F 3 40/r 4 33/F 5 nir 6 47/r 7 Sd/F 8 50/F 9 52tr 10 S4/F II S3/M 12 47/F 13 42/F 14 33/F IS 41/F 7 7 4 1 2 2 3 2 5 6 1% 6 3 3 3 153 115 193 102 76 33 2 198 374 315 173 80 79 93 Trace 60 Trace 198 Trace Trace Trace Trace 76 Trace 68 66 425 1,010 Trace Trace Trace 837 1.460 Trace 8,18 -SUfM and moderate tacreate* from normal valuta, respectively. 9 -- SK|ht decrease from normal valuet. *Bromtu1phslcin laid carried out in only atven worker*. fUermstlttt of the hands and/or irp; burning of lit* face, eyes, and *Un. , - Mild and Kvcrt lesions and complaints, rvipectivtly. N --Normal valuta. 1M Archives of Environmental Health MONS 086438 ^W'"1 "^^^^^^toadAtodortmHpfSI^Mrai^SP lUttattofi Ti**r natotw la Aldito i [tUt | U) | 1.47 | IW )HtW( 191 i JSI 41**439 4751711 N.O.* NO N.D. NO. f.WN ft,, j 4*-Wr* Levels In the Exposed and Control Croups lvKvd Aroclor 1242 contcntsamong the control r *hkh consisted of twenty-three male* and seven females with ages ranging from 21 to SO yean, were zero (m 00,7* 0, SD -= 0). Similar statistics for the exposed group, which consisted offifteen mates and nineteen females with ages lunging from 33 to 55 years, are shown in Table 1. Comparison of the mean blood Aroclor levels of the exposed group with those of Use control group demonstrates a statistically significant increase in blood levels among the former {P< .01). Aroclor Levels and Liver Function Tests in Thirty-Four Workers The thirty-four workers could also be divided into two groups according to the degree of exposure: one group of nineteen workers (fourteen moles and five females) was employed in the impregnation room, so called because Aroclor was impregnated inside the capacitor casings. In the handling process, as the exposure to hot Aroclor (temp, 70C) could be excessive, undue absorption of this a. Globulin, 1* CL Globulin, ~% B, Globulin, 1* 7 Globulin, % OPT BSP* Stem and S k'mntomit Burning 4 Darmalttia Irritation N N N tT 191 MGNS 086439 44 44 23 55 44 < 52 35 44 44 33 52 41 44 53 33 3= S2 44 44 55 55 44 44 S3 35 44 44 22 22 44 44 55 85 41 44 SS 3 lI 11 i1 s v $r ij 15 ?* I -P iB 1 1 substance can occur unless suitable impervious gloves an worn and an efficient exhaust ventilation is operating. The second group consisted of process workers (one mole and fourteen females) who were employed outside an impreg nation room and assembled Aroclor-dippcd capacitor components. Here the main route of absorption was through the skin and, in general, exposure was not so great as in the first group. No job rotation was carried out between the two groups. Table 2 shows the blood Aroclor levels and abnormal hepatic functions in these two groups of workers. The total periods of exposure to Aroclor 1242 and 42% chlorine containing PCBs arc shown in column 3. As the pathway of Aroclor metabolism in humans has not been completely worked out, the chemical identification of the metabolites corresponding to the peaks in the gas chrom atogram is at this stage not known. However, their sequence of appearance can be expressed as relative re tention times using that of aldrin as 1. Titus a metabolite with a relative retention time of 0.69 appears before aldrin and those with relative retention times of 1.31, I .47, and 1.96 appear after aldrin. The height of a peak indicates the concentration in blood. Abnormal hepatic function tests are shown in full to indicate values higher () or lower () than the accept able normal limits for the tests. These include measure ments of serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, GPT, and BSP retention. No history of excessive intake of alcohol or drugs, or of hepatitis was found in the thirty-four exposed workers. In the impregnation room group, for example, seven protein levels are high, and four Oj globulin levels are low. Also three GPT and four BSP results are abnormal. BSP tests were carried out on seven workers with rel atively high blood Aroclor (i. e., above S00 ppb). Four our of seven results were above normal values of 5%, but because other conditions such as fever can also increase retention, the high BSP test results could not, by them selves, be taken as proof of hepatic damage. One case, who suffered from congestive cardiac failure and enlarged liver, had a normal liver function test. Despite some individual abnormal results, however, the mean of each hepatic function test for the whole group is within normal limits (Table 3). Aroclor Levels and Symptoms Exposed workers tend to complain of burning of eye, face and skin. Aroclor "fume'' is an eye irritant, has a pungent smell, and often causes persistent body odor. One worker suffered from cliloracne without the systemic effects characterized by anorexia, nausea, edema of the face and hands and abdominal pain.7 Five workers com plained of eczematous rashes on the hands and legs. Al though there does not seem to be a clear correlation be tween severity of dermatitis and/or burning or irritation of the skin, and blood Aroclor levels, the dermatological complaints occur more often among workers with higher blood Aroclor levels. Table 3 shows the comparison of the mean blood Aroclor levels and hepatic function tests in the two Archives of Environmental Health MQNS 086440 Table 4.-Co*wUtto between BSP Retention Valuoe, Blood Arorfo* Lmb mi length of Exposura among Sew* Imprtpiatioft Room owtow fatteet No. Length of Exposure to Aroclor. yr Blood Aroclor Level, ppb (Retention Time Relative to Aldrin 1 - 0.69) BSP Retention, % 1 23 25 41 S 10 6 19 t 12 10 6 580 7.1 179 5.2 100 10.5 540 9.2 570 S.O 240 3.4 280 11.5 groups of exposed workers. It can be seen that the im pregnation room workers tend to absorb more volatile * compounds with low relative retention times, while the process workers outside the impregnation room tend to absorb `heavier* compounds, as shown by the statistical differences in the two groups. If the BSP test is used as an index of "hepatic" health of an exposed worker, poor correlations exist between the BSP retention values and blood Aroclor levels (rm - 0.1016), and between the former and length of exposure (r - 0.3639), as shown in Table 4. Aroclor Levels of the Workplace Table S shows that the levels of Aroclor in the breath ing tones of the operators exceeded the threshold limit value (TLV) of 1.0 mg/m3. The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council publication, Atmospheric Contaminants (1970) recommended the TLVi for PCBs as follows: 42% chlorine (Aroclor 1242), 1.00 mg/m3; 54% chlorine, 0.5 mg/mJ. In 1974 the Amer ican Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommended the same TLVs. When a more efficient ex haust ventilation was later installed, however, the air measurements were below 1.0 mg/m3. Two months following improvement of the exhaust ventilation system and the recommendation to wear suit able impervious gloves to lessen the absorption of Aroclor through the skin, further blood samples were taken to determine If there was any improvement in the blood Aroclor levels. Unfortunately only fifteen of the original thirty-four workers from inside and outside the im pregnation room areas participated in the second test. Although an efficient exhaust ventilation system had been installed and the concentrations in the air in side the plant were satisfactory (below 1.0 mg/m3), the recommendation to wear suitable gloves to reduce skin absorption was not strictly followed. This could explain why, at shown in Table 6, there was no lowering of blood Aroclor levels in (he "ufter" group. Tbc failure to wear suitable gloves was due more to a lack of awareness of the toxicology of Aroclor than to the inconvenience of using them. Discunion It is interesting to find that no Aroclor was detected in the control group. In contrast, the PCB concentration TiW S.-Arodot 1243 Concentration* in (ft* Ak ,mkH Ifn PWif Before and After Improvement of Exhaust VenMattoo jyeteiw Area In Impregnation Room Aroclor ConcrntraitM'. ________ _________ Before After Area in unloading tank in front of exhauat (lifter from operator'! breathing tone 1.44 0.7S Aree in unloading tank not in front of ex haust register 2.22 0.7 General atmosphere near tank 1.01 0.11 Soldering area 0.32 001 (arithmetic mean) is 2.3 ppb among the nonexposed urban white volunteers in the U. S. A., and 3.1 ppb among vol unteers from rural areas. Finklca8 suggested that in the U. S. A., urban exposure to PCBs was by way of polluted air and contaminated water. In New South Wales. Australia, preliminary surveys were carried out to determine whether PCBs constituted a significant liquid pollution in general sewerage outfalls. Small and insignificant traces of PCBs were found in the liquid specimens tested. (Personal communication to the Sydney Metropolitan Water. Sewerage and Drainage Board.) Similarly, no PCBs were found in such food items as fish, eggs, and milk. This may explain why no detectable amount of PCBs was found in the control group. Since some medical abnormalities were observed among the thirty-four in the exposed group, it is interesting to review the toxicology of PCBs, the understanding of which has increased since the unfortunate "Yusho" incident1 * in 1968, in which 644 people in Yusho. Japan were poisoned after ingestion of PCB-contaminatcd rice. The symptoms complained of included chloracnc, blindness, nausea, vomiting with jaundice, edema and abdominal pain.8 Further, it was reported that newborn babies of affected mothers had skin discoloration due to absorption of PCBs through the placenta. Gingival hyperplasia with pigmentation was reported in several cases. Table 6.-Mean Blood Aroclor 1242 Levels Before end After Improvement of Exhaust Ventilation and the Recommendation to Ur Suitable Gloves Group Bofore Mean Blood Aroclor Level (ppb) Retention Times Relative to Aldrtn I 0.69 1.31 1.41 281.6 135.1 58.41 After 477.2* 225.4* 5M.7t * Indicates a not significant {P>.0t) difference from value immediately above. f Indiciitre a significant {P < .05) difference from value immediately above. July/Auguet 1976 MONS 086441 193 The PCB which wee mpontiblt lot the poisoning wee the heat exchanger, Kana-chlor 400, a Japanese-manufac tured PCB with 48% chlorine. The PCB level in the rice oil wet estimated to be about 2,000 ppm. Exposure to the rice oil was estimated to be about 15,000 mg per day, with 3 mg as the lowest quantity producing minimal ef fects. Although valuable data have been gained from animal experiments and from fatal poisoning cases, the exact dose-response relationship of PCBs (and in particular Arocior 1242) in man is still to be determined, largely because of the complexity and heterogeneity of the materials themselves. At this stage, therefore, one cannot accurately set acceptable PCB blood levels that will produce no toxic episodes or long-term sequelae. However, it is reasonable to set 200 ppb as a tentative upper limit of acceptable blood Arocior content for the occupationally exposed workers (in any of the relative retention times mentioned), at no significant effects on health were ob served among the thirty-four exposed workers examined when their Arocior levels were below 200 ppb. Further more, for pesticide workers this Division has set a tentative but acceptable upper limit of 200 ppb for blood DDT, which in animal experiments is about ten times more toxic than Arocior 1242.9 It must be emphasized, however, that the final safe level of blood Arocior can be determined only by proper evaluation of hepatic function tests, adipose tissue levels, and long-term follow-up of exposed workers. Unfortunately, few blood PCB levels have been reported for occupationally exposed workers in Australia or overseas. It is easier to obtain blood samples than ad ipose tissues, although the latter show more accurate PCB residue levels. However, for screening PCB workers, the former is more convenient. Studies to determine the effects of exposing animals to Arocior vapor have been carried out. For example, Tteonlftet al. exposed laboratory animals to 0.83 ppm of Arocior 1242 vapor (7-hour periods for 17 days) and found no signs of intoxication in a group of thirty-one animals. In the industrial setting, Elkins11 reported atmospheric concentration levels of S.8 and 4.5 mg/m3 (average) in a condenser plant in Massachusetts and found no evidence of toxic effects among the exposed workers. However, in this survey, medical effects (e.g., eczema and skin burning) were observed even when the Arocior con centration In the air was below the TLV.of I mg/m*. It is to be noted, however, that Arocior "penetrates" the intact human skin13,13 and careless contact may result In its absorption approaching or exceeding the dose inhaled. The apparent excessive skin absorption has prevented us from agreeing on or recommending 3 new TLV fur Arocior 1242 in air. However, because of the polcntiui adverse effects on health, use of an efficient exhaust ventilation system to maintain air concentrations below the TLV, and the regular estimations of hepatic function and blood level in exposed workers are recommended. from the Division of Occupational Health and Radiation Control (Dr. Ouw and Mr. Simpson) and (lie Division of Analytical Labor atories (Mr. Siyali) of the Health Commission of New South Wales, Australia. Submitted May 14. 1975;rcviscd;avccptcd September 30. 1975. -Reprints may be obtained from Dr. K. II. Ouw, Division of Occupational Health and Radiation Control, P. O. Box 163, Ltdcombt, Sydney. N. S. W. 2141. Australia. REFERENCES 1. Edwards. R. 1974. The polychlorinated biphenyls, their occurrence and significance: A review. Chem hui 47:1340-48. 2. Schwartz, L. 1936. Dermatitis from synthetic resins and waxes. Am J Public Health 26: 586-92 3. Schwartz, L. 1943. An outbreak of halowax acne (cable rash) among electricians. JAMA 122: 158-61 4. 'Schwartz, Lous, and Barlow, f. A. 1942- Oitoracnc from cutting oils. US Public Health Rep 57: 1747-52 5. Flihn, F. B., and Jarvik, N. E. 1936. Action of Certain Chlor inated naphthalenes on the liver. Proe Soc hxp BM AM 35: 118-20. 6. Siyali. D. S. 1973. Erroneous blood pesticide level due to sample containers with PCBs. Med J Amt 2: 832-33- (Letter ) 7. Kimbrough, R. D. 1974. The toxicity of polychlorinated polycyclic compounds and related chemicals. CRC Oft Rev Toxicol 2: 445-98. 8. Interdepartmental Task Force on PCBs. 1971.PolyehlormaM biphenyls ami the environment. Washington. D. C : Inter departmental Task Force on PCBs. 9. Kuratsune, cl al. 1969. An epidemiological study on Yudio or chlorobiphcnyl poisoning, Fukuoka Acta Med 60: 5)3. 10. Trcon, I. F.(Cleveland, F. P.;Cappcl. J. W.; and Atchley, R. W. 1956. The toxicity of the vapors of Arocior 1242 and Arocior 1254. Am/nd/fyf Assoc J 17: 204-13. 11. Elkins, H. E.-1950. Chemistn' of industrial toxicology. New York: Wiley, p. 149. 12. MUler, J. W. 1944. Pathologic changes in animals exposed to commercial chlorinated diphenyl. Public Health Rep 59: 1085 93. 13. Paribok. V. P. 1954. Mctodika izurheniia kombimrovannogo dcistviia vrednykh gazov pri dlitd'noi dinamichcskoi zatravke zhivotnykh. | Method of the study of combined action of poisonous gases by prolonged experimentation on animals) Fartmkoi Toksikol 17: 55-57. 194 Archives of Environmental Health MQNS 086442