Serum PCB levels and congener profiles among US construction workers

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Medicine
• Toxicology

Background:

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are present in caulking materials in older buildings.
• Elevated PCB levels have been detected in caulking around windows and joints in Boston-area buildings.
• Construction workers removing PCB-containing caulking show increased serum PCB levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare serum PCB levels in male construction workers with PCB-caulking exposure to a reference population.
• To analyze PCB congener profiles in exposed workers and the general population.

Main Methods:

• Serum PCB levels were measured in 6 male construction workers and 358 reference men from the Boston area.
• Analysis involved liquid-liquid extraction, column chromatography, and dual capillary column GC/microECD.
• PCB congener profiles were compared between the two groups.

Main Results:

• Construction workers exhibited substantially higher serum levels of more volatile, lighter PCBs (di-, tri-, and tetrachloro congeners).
• One worker removing PCB caulking had a higher proportion of volatile PCBs compared to other workers and the reference group.
• Serum PCB levels in construction workers exceeded those in the reference population.

Conclusions:

• Occupational exposure to PCB-containing caulking is a significant source of elevated serum PCB levels in construction workers.
• Differences in PCB congener profiles suggest distinct exposure pathways for construction workers.
• This pilot study highlights the need for protective measures for workers handling PCB caulking.