Radioimmunoassay of PCBs in milk and blood

A radioimmunoassay was developed capable of determining Aroclor 1260 in milk at levels of from 20 to 80 ppb and in blood from 2 to 16 ppb. The values obtained by radioimmunoassay correlate well with those determined by gas-liquid chromatography (r2 = 0.96 for milk and 0.99 for blood) but were lower. Antiserum was produced in rabbits and was specific for 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl. It cross-reacted with congeners and isomers in Aroclor 1254 and 1260 to the extent that a 20% decrease in binding was observed with 0.1 ng of either mixture. The method requires preliminary cleanup of the extract on alumina and utilizes 25% dimethyl sulfoxide in the assay medium to promote solubilization of the substrates.