Enhanced Airborne Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Concentrations and Chlorination Downwind of Lake Ontario

Chiarenzelli, Jeffrey R.; Pagano, James J.; Scrudato, Ronald J.; Falanga, Lauren; Migdal, Karen; Hartwell, Anna; Milligan, Michael S.; Battalagia, Tina; Holsen, Thomas M.; Hsu, Ying-Kuang; Hopke, P.K.

doi:10.1021/es010519a

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(94 reference statements)

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“…However, although some progress has been made in characterizing the congener profiles of PCBs in air from different geographical regions and in different contexts, a great deal of variability has been observed ( Persoon et al 2010 ). For example, congener profiles of air in Chicago were dominated by congeners with ≤ 5 chlorines ( Zhao et al 2010 ), but congener profiles of outdoor air in Rice Creek, New York, contained large percentages of congeners with 6 or 7 chlorines ( Chiarenzelli et al 2001 ). In Germany, researchers noted that rooms contaminated with PCB-containing caulk contained a much lower proportion of “dioxin-like” congeners [i.e., PCBs 77, 81, 105, 114, 118, 123, 126, 156, 157, 167, 169, and 189 ( Van den Berg et al 2006 )] in air than rooms with acoustic ceiling tiles treated with PCB-containing flame retardants ( Heinzow et al 2007 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Health Risks from Inhaled Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Research Needs for Addressing Uncertainty

Lehmann

Christensen

Maddaloni

et al. 2015

Environ Health Perspect

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Background: Indoor air concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in some buildings are one or more orders of magnitude higher than background levels. In response to this, efforts have been made to assess the potential health risk posed by inhaled PCBs. These efforts are hindered by uncertainties related to the characterization and assessment of source, exposure, and exposure-response.Objectives: We briefly describe some common sources of PCBs in indoor air and estimate the contribution of inhalation exposure to total PCB exposure for select age groups. Next, we identify critical areas of research needed to improve assessment of exposure and exposure response for inhaled PCBs.Discussion: Although the manufacture of PCBs was banned in the United States in 1979, many buildings constructed before then still contain potential sources of indoor air PCB contamination. In some indoor settings and for some age groups, inhalation may contribute more to total PCB exposure than any other route of exposure. PCB exposure has been associated with human health effects, but data specific to the inhalation route are scarce. To support exposure–response assessment, it is critical that future investigations of the health impacts of PCB inhalation carefully consider certain aspects of study design, including characterization of the PCB mixture present.Conclusions: In certain contexts, inhalation exposure to PCBs may contribute more to total PCB exposure than previously assumed. New epidemiological and toxicological studies addressing the potential health impacts of inhaled PCBs may be useful for quantifying exposure–response relationships and evaluating risks.Citation: Lehmann GM, Christensen K, Maddaloni M, Phillips LJ. 2015. Evaluating health risks from inhaled polychlorinated biphenyls: research needs for addressing uncertainty. Environ Health Perspect 123:109–113; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408564

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Health Risks from Inhaled Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Research Needs for Addressing Uncertainty

Lehmann

Christensen

Maddaloni

et al. 2015

Environ Health Perspect

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“…Karmaus et al (2001) associated with past discharges from local industries adjacent to the Akwesasne community (Chiarenzelli et al 2001;Ramil et al 2002). (Karmaus et al 2001;Patandin et al 1997).…”

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confidence: 99%

Organochlorines, lead, and mercury in Akwesasne Mohawk youth.

Schell

Hubicki

DeCaprio

et al. 2003

Environ Health Perspect

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Most humans have detectable body burdens of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and p,p´-dichlorophenyldichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE), a metabolite of p,p´-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Native American communities may be at increased risk of exposure through subsistence-based diets and greater physical contact with contaminated soil and water. In this article we describe the levels of toxicants (PCBs, p,p´-DDE, HCB, mirex, lead, and mercury) among youth 10-17 years old (n = 271) of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. Ultratrace, congener-specific PCB analysis of human serum quantitated 83 PCB congeners (plus 18 as pairs/triplets), in addition to p,p´-DDE, HCB, and mirex, and included all major Aroclor-derived congeners typically present in human samples. Twenty congeners (

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“…Higher chlorinated congeners are less water soluble and more persistent in the environment (12, 13). The pesticides with the highest concentrations in the SPMD samples were DDT and degradates, chlordane and degradates, HCB and HCH (Figs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community-based participatory research projects and policy engagement to protect environmental health on St Lawrence Island, Alaska

Miller

Waghiyi

Welfinger‐Smith

et al. 2013

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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ObjectivesThis article synthesizes discussion of collaborative research results, interventions and policy engagement for St Lawrence Island (SLI), Alaska, during the years 2000–2012.MethodsAs part of on-going community-based participatory research (CBPR) studies on SLI, 5 discrete exposure-assessment projects were conducted: (a) a biomonitoring study of human blood serum; (b–d) 3 investigations of levels of contaminants in environmental media at an abandoned military site at Northeast Cape – using sediment cores and plants, semi-permeable membrane devices and blackfish, respectively; and (e) a study of traditional foods.ResultsBlood serum in residents of SLI showed elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with higher levels among those exposed to the military site at Northeast Cape, an important traditional subsistence-use area. Environmental studies at the military site demonstrated that the site is a continuing source of PCBs to a major watershed, and that clean-up operations at the military site generated PCB-contaminated dust on plants in the region. Important traditional foods eaten by the people of SLI showed elevated concentrations of PCBs, which are primarily derived from the long-range transport of persistent pollutants that are transported by atmospheric and marine currents from more southerly latitudes to the north.InterventionsAn important task for all CBPR projects is to conduct intervention strategies as needed in response to research results. Because of the findings of the CBPR projects on SLI, the CBPR team and the people of the Island are actively engaging in interventions to ensure cleanup of the formerly used military sites; reform chemicals policy on a national level; and eliminate persistent pollutants internationally. The goal is to make the Island and other northern/Arctic communities safe for themselves and future generations.ConclusionsAs part of the CBPR projects conducted from 2000 to 2012, a series of exposure assessments demonstrate that the leaders of SLI have reason to be concerned about the health of people due to the presence of carcinogenic chemicals as measured in biomonitoring and environmental samples and important traditional foods.

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Enhanced Airborne Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Concentrations and Chlorination Downwind of Lake Ontario

Cited by 21 publications

References 40 publications

Evaluating Health Risks from Inhaled Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Research Needs for Addressing Uncertainty

Evaluating Health Risks from Inhaled Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Research Needs for Addressing Uncertainty

Organochlorines, lead, and mercury in Akwesasne Mohawk youth.

Community-based participatory research projects and policy engagement to protect environmental health on St Lawrence Island, Alaska

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