Occurrence of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) in indoor particulate matter.

Abstract

In the course of a routine investigation concerned with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination of dust collected in classrooms of a junior high school, a group of electron capture detector (ECD)-sensitive compounds with high boiling points were found in addition to PCBs. Using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric techniques, these compounds were identified as polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs). Additional measurements indicated that the PCTs were present only in particulate matter collected from the tops of fluorescent light frames but not in air samples obtained concomitantly in the classrooms. Attempts to identify the PCT emission source were unsuccessful. A survey of the literature revealed that PCTs are ubiquitously distributed environmental contaminants, although no data on their indoor occurrence have been reported to date. In view of the toxic effects of PCTs, which seem to be as important as those of PCBs, further attention should be given to the possible presence of PCTs in indoor environments. Images Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4.

Estimating exposures to indoor contaminants using residential dust

“…Recently, investigators have reported high concentrations of PCBs in dust associated with certain construction materials, such as caulking (Herrick et al, 2004) and wood floor finish , as well as with a PCB-contaminated fluorescent light ballast (Seidel et al, 1996) and a PCBcontaminated carpet pad (Franzblau et al, 2009). The prevalence of these particular PCB sources in residences is unknown; however, they are unlikely to be relevant in most homes.…”

Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Residential Dust: Sources of Variability

“…We also found that mother’s age was associated with concentrations of some PCBs in multivariable mixed-effects models after adjusting for home age. We speculate that older mothers (and fathers) are more likely to have owned PCB-contaminated consumer products manufactured before 1980, such as fluorescent lights, refrigerators, televisions, carpet pads, or air conditioners. ,− While most of these pre-1980 consumer items were likely removed from homes prior to dust collection, these items could have contaminated carpet dust or household surfaces, creating persistent PCB residues.…”

Determinants of polychlorinated biphenyls in dust from homes in California, USA

“…While we did not identify specic items as PCB sources in this study, potential sources of PCBs in homes built before 1980 include PCB-contaminated consumer products, such as uorescent light ballasts, refrigerators, televisions, carpet pads, and air conditioners. [11][12][13]31 Based on the average lifetime of these products 17 (e.g. 20 year lifetime for a refrigerator), pre-1980 consumer items were likely removed from most homes prior to dust collection (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006).…”