Document a19gg1k6Kp0qMVbvj8BR74Eb9
VlO/78
Health Effects of PCB's
730
St. Louis - General Offices
Monte C. Throdahl DID
PCB's are oily liquids v/hich are poorly absorbed from the gut.
Therefore, a single dose ingested would be largely excreted and minimal acute toxic effects would be expected. About .all we would expect to see would bo nausea, possible vomiting and diarrhea.
The effects would be similar to ingesting a large done of mineral oil. No other acute toxic effects resulting from PCD ingestion
aro known.
Repeated ingestion of small quantities of PCB's is an entirely
different matter. This was the case in the Yushfc. Incident. Here, small quantities of the material would be absorbed and stored in the body and chronic toxic effects have been identified in this situation. In Yusho there was repeated ingestion and the symptoms and signs resulting from this began to occur in 1968. The objective
findings resulting from this include the following;
acne-like skin eruptions on the face, the buttocks and in areas where two
skin surfaces are in contact.
skin pigmentation
swelling of the eyelids
inhibition of growth and abnormal teeth in children
smaller than average infants at birth
'
total body pigmentation at birth
.bronchitis
bursitis
a decrease in triglyceride level3 in females
anemia
increased lymphocytes in the white
'
blood cell count
NEV 0351.35
decreased blood levels of albumen
Slowed electrical conduction in r.nnnnrv nnrvnR
WATER PCB-00052617
M. C. Throdahl
4/18/78 Page 2
In addition, the persons exposed complained of the following
symptoms s
fatigue
headache
abdominal pain
numbness and pain in the extremities
cough and sputum
menstrual disturbances
.
. -
As analytical methods Improved, after the onset of this problem in Yuoho, it was found that the cooking oil in addition to containing PCB's also contained polychlorinated dibenzofurans. With a second contaminant identified, a question as to which material actually caused the symptoms and signs exists We do not know the answer to this question and I doubt that it would be possible to ever make ,a distinct determination.
ET/mjb
Ernest Tillman M, D.
NEV 035136
WATER PCB-00052618