Document ppJOyzokvqXbNkgLwwNOdnR3E

r U102AA JOB SAFETY t HEALTH 'MO. 55,000 FEB 1976 (IS . ,r Background report jm PCB's mentions eareinagamc effects Reports of illnesses in humans ex posed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), and the demonstrated carcino genic effects of PCB's in certain labora tory animal species, have ted to re* examination of the distribution and use M V) of PCB's and their potential human health effects. NIOSH has issued a background report of what is presently known on the subject, and requests comments from the occupational health community. The term polychlorinated biphenyls describes a group of synthetic chlori nated organic compounds, 209 in all. PCB's are supplied to industry as mix tures of some of the 209, each mixture having a specified chlorine content Widely used in industry, PCB's have been manufactured in the United States since 1929. About 12,000 people ere exposed on their jobs to PCB's, which are used chiefly in the production of capacitors and transformers. Other current do mestic applications include use in in vestment casting processes, as heat exchange fluids, and as hydraulic fluids. Mixtures of PCB's are important indus trial products because they combine good dielectric properties with chemi cal stability and fire resistance. In December 1975, the Dow Chemical Company and McGraw Edison jointly announced the development of a sub stitute (butylated monochlorodiphenyl oxide) for PCB's in high voltage power capacitors. Use of the substitute is ex pected to begin by mid-1976. Dow* Corning, Exxon Chemical, end RTE Cor poration substitutes for PCB's are also being tested or marketed. Toxic effects of human exposure to PCB's have been known for years. They include an acneiike skin eruption (chloracne), abnormal pigmentation of the skin and nails, excessive eye discharge, swelling of eyelids, and enlarged (prom inent) hair follicles. Digestive distur bances, burning of the eyes, impotence, and hematuria (presence of red blood cells in the urine) have also been re ported. Chlorinated terphenyls, used in some formulations of wax for investment casting processes, have a chemical structure resembling that of PCB's. They also are reported to have simi lar toxicological effects. About 330,000 pounds of chlorinated terphenyls were imported by the U.S. during 1974. The toxic effects of PCB's in animals have been studied extensively. Liver damage, malignancy, and reduced abil ity to reproduce have been recorded. The report, "Background Information on Polychlorinated Biphenyls," may be requested from the Office of Occupy tionel Health Surveillance and Bltx metrics, NIOSH, 5600 Fishers Line. Rockville, Maryland 20852. Trade Hemes for Known PCB* Containing Products Trade name Trade name owner Aroclor Chlorextol Clophen Dykanol Fenclor Inerteen Kanechlor Noflamoi Phenoclor Pyralene Pyranol Santotherm ^Monsanto Company St. Louis, MO Allis-Chalmors Milwaukee, Wl Ferbtnfabriken Bayer GmbH Germany Federal Pacific Electric Co. Newark, NJ Caffaro S.P.A. Italy Weetinghousa Electric Corp. Pittsburgh, PA Kanagafuchi Chamlcal Industry Co., Ltd. Japan Wagner Electric Corp. Newark, NJ Prodtlac Prance Prodeiec France General Electric Co. Schenectady, NY Mitsubishi-Monsanto Japan ' ...... HONS 033090