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A morbidity study of former pentachlorophenol-production workers
D O Hryhorczuk1, W H Wallace, V Persky
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|June 25, 1998
Summary
Occupational exposure to the pesticide Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is linked to skin conditions like chloracne and persistent biochemical changes in porphyrin metabolism, even years after exposure ended.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was a widely used wood preservative.
- Commercial PCP contained dioxin (CDD) and furan (CDF) impurities.
- Occupational exposure to PCP and its contaminants may affect health.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the long-term health effects of occupational PCP exposure.
- Assess impacts on skin, liver, nervous systems, and porphyrin metabolism.
- Examine chloracne and porphyrin excretion in exposed workers.
Main Methods:
- Medical survey of 366 PCP production workers (1938-1978) and 303 unexposed referent workers.
- Data collection via questionnaires, medical records, physical exams, and urine porphyrin analysis.
- Exposure assessment using plant personnel records.
Main Results:
- General health was similar between groups.
- 17.8% of PCP workers showed current or past chloracne.
- PCP workers with chloracne had higher urinary coproporphyrin levels.
- Co-exposure to PCP and PCBs elevated urinary hepta-, penta-, and coproporphyrins.
Conclusions:
- Occupational PCP exposure is associated with chloracne.
- Biochemical abnormalities in porphyrin metabolism may persist post-exposure.
- PCP and its contaminants pose significant long-term health risks.