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Accidental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in waste cargo after heavy seas. Global waste transport as a source of PCB exposure

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Abstract

Objectives

After cargo with PCB-containing transformer oil waste was damaged in heavy seas, the vessel crew exposed to PCB developed itching and acne-form eruption of the skin. The objective of our study was to analyse this work-related incident and its effects on health.

Methods

Air and wipe test samples were taken in the ship for analysis of PCB (28/52/101/138/153/180); clinical investigations of all seafarers (n = 6) included lung function, chest X-ray, clinical chemistry and biomonitoring (plasma PCBs, chlorophenols in urine) measured after a latency of 7 weeks. The biomonitoring data were adjusted according to age-related reference values and validated against controls (n = 96).

Results

Biomonitoring showed elevated PCB-28-/52/-102/-138 congeners (mean 1.16/0.91/136, ∑PCB: 5.82 μg/l), which correlates with the dust samples from the cargo hold (∑PCB. 9,440 mg/m2) and with 6.1 and 5.0 μg/m3 in stern and bow cargo air samples. IgE elevation in two seafarers and substantial blood sedimentation rate increase with anaemia or pulmonary emphysema were unlikely to be caused by PCB exposure. Although two members showed slightly elevated airway resistance values, other lung function parameters were normal and reactive airways dysfunction syndrome due to PCBs could be excluded. Elevated chlorophenols in urine could contribute to the manifestation of chloracne.

Conclusions

PCB-52/-101/-138 found in plasma and in air samples confirm exposure to PCB. Acne-form skin eruptions were from occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls in the spilt transformer oil. There were no other abnormal findings in medical and clinical examinations that could be attributed to PCBs. This does not exclude possible long-term effects.

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Abbreviations

PCB:

Polychlorinated biphenyls

CP:

Chlorophenols

PCP:

Pentachlorophenol

Chest X-ray:

Chest radiograph

CDT:

Carbohydrate-deficient transferring

FEV1/FVC %:

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s/inspiratory vital capacity

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the laboratories Fresenius, Frankfurt/Main, and Dr. Wiertz Eggert and Dr. Jörissen, Hamburg, who did the PCB monitoring in ambient air and in the wipe test samples; ZfAM colleagues for help in supporting the collection of the clinical data; Dr. Wurm for his X-ray investigations; Mrs. Johannsen for lung function testing; Mrs. Koops for flow cytometry; Mrs. Tieu for analysis of the PCBs and chlorophenols; and Dr. Kevan Willey for critical appraisal of the manuscript. The study was funded by the State Ministry for Health and Consumer Protection (XB, RW) and is a part of the WHO GPA (global plan of action) project: New chemical health risk hazards in transportation and warehousing of marine cargo because of globalisation (LTB).

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

    Lygia Therese Budnik, Ralf Wegner & Xaver Baur

  2. Consultant in Occupational Medicine, Hamburg, Germany

    Ulrich Rogall

  3. Charité Institute for Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany

    Xaver Baur

  4. Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), Division of Occupational Toxicology and Immunology, Department of Occupational Health, University of Hamburg, School of Medicine, Marckmannstrasse 129 b, Bld. 3, 20539, Hamburg, Germany

    Lygia Therese Budnik

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  1. Lygia Therese Budnik
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Correspondence to Lygia Therese Budnik.

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Budnik, L.T., Wegner, R., Rogall, U. et al. Accidental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in waste cargo after heavy seas. Global waste transport as a source of PCB exposure. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 87, 125–135 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0841-x

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