Document DZGLmZqga8ErB6xZEqRmyDNo

*JJG 5 IS82 NEWS National Elactrical Manufacturers Ataociation 2101 L Street. N.W . Washington. D.C. 20037 - 202-457-8400 For Release Immediate For Further Information Contact: Walter Gerson NEMA PUBLISHES STUDY ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF PCBS WASHINGTON -- The first comprehensive, scientific report in more than 6 years on the potential health effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBsl is now available from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). PCBs are still widely used in certain types of electrical equipment, although their use in new equipment ceased in 1978. The report, "Potential Health Effects in the Human From Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Related Impurities," was prepared by two teams of independent scientists. They reviewed scientific literature on the potential effects of PCBs, with particular emphasis on studies of persons with occupational exposure. The report concludes that there is no demonstrated connection between PCB exposure and cancer, birth defects and liver disease. The only health effects of PCBs identified by the scientists were minor skin disorders and insiqnificant changes in enzyme production. The scientists concluded that "the risk to human health from even high level occupational exposure has been shown by the studies available to be low." MONS 019451 more. -2- The full report has been submitted to the U.s. Environmental Protection Agency, and EPA is currently reviewing it. Copies may be obtained from Lloyd Spragins at NEMA Headquarters for $15.00. Payment should accompany order. NEMA, with 550 member companies, is the nation's largest trade association for manufacturers of electrical equipment. The Association's major activities include the development of domestic and international standards, statistical and market programs, leadership in shaping the National Electrical Code, government relations, international trade and promoting the expanded use and increased efficiency of electricity and electrical products. -307/29/82/043 MONS 019452 W~M * k(V SuitvSM AiUnftan. VtaWttUN Dwn* (?a)5&4( hdcfilicf.ts of the PCB Health Effects Study "(Ignited for WWffl by CAU5, Inc") HpxUitlgn Mixtures or chesdcels known at polychlorinated biphenyl* (PCS*) were manufactured cesmercially in the united States until 1977 end they are weed throughout the world in e variety of applications. (her the years, people have been exposed to these chancels both in the wortylsct and in the natural environment. Exposures in the workplace were generally far erne intaneive, especially in terms of inhalation and skin contact, than the typical low-level or occasional exposure in the natural environment. Much intonation on possible health affects resulting from PCS exposures has aeeuNiiatsd in the scientific literature, starting back in the 19?0b. IMS report reviews this intonation and uses it as the basis fbr an objective assessment of the potential health effects of PCBs on people. Methodology of the study Two tames of specialists, representing the disciplines of medicine, toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry and epidemiology, participated in the study. The first tame reviewed the PCB health effects literature in detail thmufpt 1981, and prepared draft reports on the relationships between PCB exposure and specific health effects in test animals and In expossd people. The second team of scientists from universities independently reviewed the draft material. Conclusions and opinions in the finsl report reflect contributions from both teams. The health effects Information reviewed wee of two major types: first, results from large rentiers of studies in which laboratory tost animals wets exposed to graded dOeegat of PCBe for variable time periods; second, data on effects detected in ocogietlonelly exposed workeri ss deduced from spldmniologlcol end clinical studios. In the major recent studios, which are continuing, several thousands of occupationallyexposed workers are being followed. From the entire collection or dots on people and test animals, conclusions end opinions ss to the possibility of occurrence of specific potential health effects In people from exposures to KBs hove been drawn. The results fall into two categorise of offsets, as follows: HONS 019453 Wvull^es 14 iSjltiw n-T<WHv>VSL h-ri-- Wto,,lMLMO.VWm K^IWBL OMDOfOSOCTOSB IWnvM.lfciw.mA M.ImIU>.Mi Health Effects Observed In People end Animals Too health iffectt, neither of them carious, have been observed In workers occupationally exposed to PCS* and in experimental anlmels. They are: 1. ... A skin disorder known ts chlorecna. The Intensity of this effect is related to dearea of exposure wwl to PCS chemical atructuce. Chlorecna diminishes on termination of exposure, and Is not a serioua health problem. 2. ... In the process of metabolising PCBs, excess anoints of proteins (erayeea) (mown as mixed function oxidases (FOs) era produced, chiefly In the liver. This condition, oven following extended Industrial exposures, la not of significance to health over the 11 retlee of a FC8-xposed parson. At east, elevated Ifl) levels can cause changes in the required dosages of medicines or other therapeutic agents that are subject to ready oxidation In the body. Siadlar tFO elevations are caused by certain drugs, hydrocarbons, end other substances. Health Effects tbserved Only in Teat Animals Several health effects have been observed In teat animals, but have net been observed In people, even after eeny years of occupational exposure. These are: 1. The possibility that exposure to FCBe can lead to cancer has been studied In teat animals and In exposed people. The bulk of the studies on anlmale yielded negative results on cmcic in all tissues In all species, with an exception of some unverified results on liver cancer In mice and rate. In studies of occupationally-exposed workers, the test results wen also negative with an exception of a tingle report of excess skin cancer in one group of workers. This report wee not confirmed in other studies, it can b concluded that then an no d--netrated connections between PCS exposure and cancer in people, even when occupationally exposed. 2. Adverse effects on reproduction have been observed Jn experimental animals, generally at very nigh dosages. These are: a. Effects of PCS* on the developing enbryo or fetus leading to birth defects (teratologlcel effects) have been observed In a limited nuttier of experimental animals. b. Toxic effects on the developing fetus In test animals can be produced by hi0i dosage* of PC8. mons oi9*54 NO evidence for such effects in people has been recorded, even for pregnant women occupationally exposed to PCSe. It Is concluded that the probability of such effects occurring In people is very low. -3- 3. PCBs era able to produca ackers* affacta on liver tisaues in taat anloala, tavaraibla at lew doaaa and Inertaslngly lnavaraibla at higwr exposure level*. FC advarsa affacta on liver functions have baan oOaarvad in oocupetlonally-aoposod mlon, leading to the conciliaion that these chaalesls do not causa humn liver disease under these conditions. 4. PCS* erfdblt a low to aodarata degree of scuta toxicity in tost anlaale. weaver, than is little evidence in people of any acuta tonicity In the oouraa of PCS intake, storage in tissues, --taboUaa d excretion. Further, than is no evidence to indicate the PCB* produca ay adant affacta on the luan lamina systm or blood uppiy* Other Cboorvatlona and Conclusions ft* possibilities of harmful, heritable changes in gmmwmu of cello nd tissue under the action of PCBs hove baan studiad in biological teat systaaa, experimental enlmls, and ecevpstlenally- expand workers. Ml test results an negative fbr such change*. The risk of mnetlc demga in people fwm PCB axpoaun Is negligible. This conclusion la consistent with the lack of a demnetratod connection between PCB axpoauia and cancer. YUsho Olaaasa: Hacaun of the uniqueness of the YUsho episodes in tmi tr tn liw of contamination of the PCBa, the dosage patterns and the-ejaptoma ebaarvod, VUaho cannot b* considand a ondel to reflect the paeslbla affects of PCB exposure In mn. it la Impossible to stipulate whether L r h**^th affacta ebaarvod an causally related to PCS H^OMVs at humn axpoaun levels as Ititfi as those previously encountered In occipatlcnal aattinga, PCBa can caun chloncno and increase* in the levels of one or non liver Smyrna*. Wither effect roprosonts o seria or life-threatening health psaMma. Fit* present evidence, no flta aiaoclatlcna can be arte bauson PCB exposure and avy other humn healU affects, oven after long-tone occupational exposures. Sine* the risk to humn health from even hioh level occupational exposure* has bean shoan by the studies availabla to be loa, it aay bo concluded that mjch lower humn exposures to PCBa in today's workplace and In ths natural environment do not peasant significant huian health risks. HONS 019455 rot kh* Fins, Seymour L. mesa, ProtldenT Wrch 9, 1962