Amateur radio operators and exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls

In September, 1982, the Special Studies Branch, Chronic Diseases Division, Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control, was alerted to the possibility that oils in certain oil-filled devices used by amateur radio operators throughout the country were contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). To evaluate the possible exposures and concomitant health risks, we conducted an exposure assessment study in two phases: an evaluation of the prevalence of environmental contaminations and an assessment of human exposure. Of 77 oil samples collected, only 2 were contaminated above a 50-ppm level; analyses of blood specimens collected from these two owner-operators showed serum PCB-levels which were well within a "normal" or expected background range. Although, on the basis of these limited data, PCBs from contaminated oils do not appear to be a hazard to amateur radio operators, we recommend that PCB-contaminated oils should not be used because of the continuing potential for exposure from either inhalation or direct contamination.