Pentachlorophenol-associated aplastic anemia, red cell aplasia, leukemia and other blood disorders

Aplastic anemia, pure red cell aplasia, leukemia, lymphoma and other hematologic disorders have followed exposure to products containing the pesticide pentachlorophenol (PCP). Information in a 25-year compilation of documented case reports is summarized, involving industrial and home exposure and accidental poisoning in a nursery. The potential hematologic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of PCP and its dioxin-dibenzofuran contaminants also are reviewed. Owing to widespread contamination of the environment by PCP products, and latent periods of up to several decades after exposure before these disorders become manifest clinically, it is necessary to consider their etiologic or contributory role. These issues continue to surface in toxic tort litigation relative to causation.