Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Environmental Health Perspectives logoLink to Environmental Health Perspectives
. 1985 Feb;59:99–106. doi: 10.1289/ehp.59-1568093

Laboratory and human studies on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and related compounds.

R D Kimbrough
PMCID: PMC1568093  PMID: 3921372

Abstract

Similar qualitative toxic effects have been observed in animals for a class of halogenated aromatic compounds, which include the halogenated biphenyls, naphthalenes, dibenzodioxins, and dibenzofurans. All of these compounds are lipid soluble and persist in the environment and in mammals. The polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) are the most persistent. They are predominantly stored in fatty tissue; they pass the placenta and are excreted in milk. Some isomers of the halogenated biphenyls are more toxic than others. With some exceptions, the more toxic isomers are retained longer in tissues and are also the carcinogenic components of the mixture. Most of these chemicals seem to be promoters of carcinogenesis in animals rather than initiators. An array of toxic effects in laboratory animals has been ascribed to these compounds and numerous reviews summarizing this information are available. Less information is available on the human health effects of environmental and occupational exposure. Results of recent studies in animals to further elucidate the effects of these chemicals are presented, and results from some human studies conducted in the United States are reviewed.

Full text

PDF
99

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. BEHRBOHM P. Uber Gefahren beim Umgang mit chlorierten Phenolen. Dtsch Gesundheitsw. 1959 Apr 2;14(14):614–619. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bahn A. K., Rosenwaike I., Hermann N., Grover P., Stellman J., O'Leary K. Letter: Melanoma after exposure to PCB's. N Engl J Med. 1976 Aug 19;295(8):450–450. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197608192950820. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Baker E. L., Jr, Landrigan P. J., Glueck C. J., Zack M. M., Jr, Liddle J. A., Burse V. W., Housworth W. J., Needham L. L. Metabolic consequences of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in sewage sludge. Am J Epidemiol. 1980 Oct;112(4):553–563. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113024. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bernert J. T., Jr, Groce D. F., Kimbrough R. D. Long-term effects of a single oral dose of polybrominated biphenyls on serum and liver lipids in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1983 May;68(3):424–433. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(83)90287-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Brown D. P., Jones M. Mortality and industrial hygiene study of workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. Arch Environ Health. 1981 May-Jun;36(3):120–129. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1981.10667615. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Carter C. D., Kimbrough R. D., Liddle J. A., Cline R. E., Zack M. M., Jr, Barthel W. F., Koehler R. E., Phillips P. E. Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin: an accidental poisoning episode in horse arenas. Science. 1975 May 16;188(4189):738–740. doi: 10.1126/science.1168366. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Carter L. J. Michigan's PBB Incident: Chemical Mix-Up Leads to Disaster. Science. 1976 Apr 16;192(4236):240–243. doi: 10.1126/science.192.4236.240. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Chase K. H., Wong O., Thomas D., Berney B. W., Simon R. K. Clinical and metabolic abnormalities associated with occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). J Occup Med. 1982 Feb;24(2):109–114. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Cook R. R. Dioxin, chloracne, and soft tissue sarcoma. Lancet. 1981 Mar 14;1(8220 Pt 1):618–619. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(81)92070-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Davies J. E., Edmundson W. F., Raffonelli A., Cassady J. C., Morgade C. The role of social class in human pesticide pollution. Am J Epidemiol. 1972 Nov;96(5):334–341. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a121464. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Eriksson M., Hardell L., Berg N. O., Möller T., Axelson O. Soft-tissue sarcomas and exposure to chemical substances: a case-referent study. Br J Ind Med. 1981 Feb;38(1):27–33. doi: 10.1136/oem.38.1.27. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Eyster J. T., Humphrey H. E., Kimbrough R. D. Partitioning of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in serum, adipose tissue, breast milk, placenta, cord blood, biliary fluid, and feces. Arch Environ Health. 1983 Jan-Feb;38(1):47–53. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1983.10543978. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Eyster J. T., Humphrey H. E., Kimbrough R. D. Partitioning of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in serum, adipose tissue, breast milk, placenta, cord blood, biliary fluid, and feces. Arch Environ Health. 1983 Jan-Feb;38(1):47–53. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1983.10543978. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Faith R. E., Luster M. I., Moore J. A. Chemical separation of helper cell function and delayed hypersensitivity responses. Cell Immunol. 1978 Oct;40(2):275–284. doi: 10.1016/0008-8749(78)90335-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Gupta B. N., McConnell E. E., Moore J. A., Haseman J. K. Effects of a polybrominated biphenyl mixture in the rat and mouse. II. Lifetime study. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1983 Mar 30;68(1):19–35. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(83)90351-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Hardell L., Eriksson M., Lenner P., Lundgren E. Malignant lymphoma and exposure to chemicals, especially organic solvents, chlorophenols and phenoxy acids: a case-control study. Br J Cancer. 1981 Feb;43(2):169–176. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1981.25. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Hardell L., Sandström A. Case-control study: soft-tissue sarcomas and exposure to phenoxyacetic acids or chlorophenols. Br J Cancer. 1979 Jun;39(6):711–717. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1979.125. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Honchar P. A., Halperin W. E. 2,4,5-T, trichlorophenol, and soft tissue sarcoma. Lancet. 1981 Jan 31;1(8214):268–269. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(81)92101-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Ito N., Nagasaki H., Arai M., Makiura S., Sugihara S., Hirao K. Histopathologic studies on liver tumorigenesis induced in mice by technical polychlorinated biphenyls and its promoting effect on liver tumors induced by benzene hexachloride. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1973 Nov;51(5):1637–1646. doi: 10.1093/jnci/51.5.1637. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Juszkiewicz T., Niewiadowska A., Radomanski T. Pozostałości polichlorowanych dwufenyli w tkance tłuszczowej ludzi. Pol Tyg Lek. 1977 Jan 31;32(5):173–175. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Kimbrough R. D. Disposition and body burdens of halogenated aromatic compounds: possible association with health effects in humans. Drug Metab Rev. 1982;13(3):485–497. doi: 10.3109/03602538209029991. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Kimbrough R. D., Groce D. F., Korver M. P., Burse V. W. Induction of liver tumors in female Sherman strain rats by polybrominated biphenyls. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1981 Mar;66(3):535–542. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Kimbrough R. D., Squire R. A., Linder R. E., Strandberg J. D., Montalli R. J., Burse V. W. Induction of liver tumor in Sherman strain female rats by polychlorinated biphenyl aroclor 1260. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1975 Dec;55(6):1453–1459. doi: 10.1093/jnci/55.6.1453. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Kimbrough R., Buckley J., Fishbein L., Flamm G., Kasza L., Marcus W., Shibko S., Teske R. Animal toxicology. Environ Health Perspect. 1978 Jun;24:173–185. doi: 10.1289/ehp.7824173. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Kimura N. T., Baba T. Neoplastic changes in the rat liver induced by polychlorinated biphenyl. Gan. 1973 Feb;64(1):105–108. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Kociba R. J., Keyes D. G., Beyer J. E., Carreon R. M., Wade C. E., Dittenber D. A., Kalnins R. P., Frauson L. E., Park C. N., Barnard S. D. Results of a two-year chronic toxicity and oncogenicity study of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1978 Nov;46(2):279–303. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(78)90075-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Kreiss K., Roberts C., Humphrey H. E. Serial PBB levels, PCB levels, and clinical chemistries in Michigan's PBB cohort. Arch Environ Health. 1982 May-Jun;37(3):141–147. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1982.10667553. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Kreiss K., Zack M. M., Kimbrough R. D., Needham L. L., Smrek A. L., Jones B. T. Association of blood pressure and polychlorinated biphenyl levels. JAMA. 1981 Jun 26;245(24):2505–2509. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Kreiss K., Zack M. M., Kimbrough R. D., Needham L. L., Smrek A. L., Jones B. T. Cross-sectional study of a community with exceptional exposure to DDT. JAMA. 1981 May 15;245(19):1926–1930. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Kutz F. W., Yobs A. R., Strassman S. C., Viar J. F., Jr Effects of reducing DDT usage on total DDT storage in humans. Pestic Monit J. 1977 Sep;11(2):61–63. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. LAUG E. P., KUNZE F. M., PRICKETT C. S. Occurrence of DDT in human fat and milk. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med. 1951 Mar;3(3):245–246. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Linder R. E., Gaines T. B., Kimbrough R. D. The effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on rat reproduction. Food Cosmet Toxicol. 1974 Feb;12(1):63–77. doi: 10.1016/0015-6264(74)90322-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Luster M. I., Faith R. E., Clark G. Laboratory studies on the immune effects of halogenated aromatics. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1979 May 31;320:473–486. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1979.tb56628.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Mathews H. B., Anderson M. W. Effect of chlorination on the distribution and excretion of polychlorinated biphenyls. Drug Metab Dispos. 1975 Sep-Oct;3(5):371–380. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Matthews H. B., Kato S. The metabolism and disposition of halogenated aromatics. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1979 May 31;320:131–137. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1979.tb56596.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Morgan D. P., Lin L. I. Blood organochlorine pesticide concentrations, clinical hematology and biochemistry in workers occupationally exposed to pesticides. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 1978;7(4):423–447. doi: 10.1007/BF02332069. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Morgan R. W., Ward J. M., Hartman P. E. Aroclor 1254-induced intestinal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma in the glandular stomach of F344 rats. Cancer Res. 1981 Dec;41(12 Pt 1):5052–5059. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Neal R. A., Olson J. R., Gasiewicz T. A., Geiger L. E. The toxicokinetics of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in mammalian systems. Drug Metab Rev. 1982;13(3):355–385. doi: 10.3109/03602538209029985. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Patterson D. G., Hill R. H., Needham L. L., Orti D. L., Kimbrough R. D., Liddle J. A. Hyperkeratosis induced by sunlight degradation products of the major polybrominated biphenyl in Firemaster. Science. 1981 Aug 21;213(4510):901–902. doi: 10.1126/science.6266016. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Poland A. P., Smith D., Metter G., Possick P. A health survey of workers in a 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T plan with special attention to chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and psychologic parameters. Arch Environ Health. 1971 Mar;22(3):316–327. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1971.10665850. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Poland A., Glover E. Chlorinated biphenyl induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity: a study of the structure-activity relationship. Mol Pharmacol. 1977 Sep;13(5):924–938. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Sak M., Ahlers I. Zmeny sérových lipidov v podmienkach profesionálnej expozície chlorovanými difenylmi. Cesk Dermatol. 1977 Jan;52(1):62–65. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Sawyer T., Safe S. PCB isomers and congeners: induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase enzyme activities in rat hepatoma cells. Toxicol Lett. 1982 Sep;13(1-2):87–93. doi: 10.1016/0378-4274(82)90142-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Smith A. B., Schloemer J., Lowry L. K., Smallwood A. W., Ligo R. N., Tanaka S., Stringer W., Jones M., Hervin R., Glueck C. J. Metabolic and health consequences of occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls. Br J Ind Med. 1982 Nov;39(4):361–369. doi: 10.1136/oem.39.4.361. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Trosko J. E., Chang C. C. An integrative hypothesis linking cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis: the role of mutations and epigenetic changes. Med Hypotheses. 1980 May;6(5):455–468. doi: 10.1016/0306-9877(80)90098-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Tóth K., Somfai-Relle S., Sugár J., Bence J. Carcinogenicity testing of herbicide 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyethanol containing dioxin and of pure dioxin in Swiss mice. Nature. 1979 Apr 5;278(5704):548–549. doi: 10.1038/278548a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Unger M., Olsen J. Organochlorine compounds in the adipose tissue of deceased people with and without cancer. Environ Res. 1980 Dec;23(2):257–263. doi: 10.1016/0013-9351(80)90059-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Vos J. G., Moore J. A. Suppression of cellular immunity in rats and mice by maternal treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol. 1974;47(5):777–794. doi: 10.1159/000231268. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Vos J. G., Moore J. A., Zinkl J. G. Effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the immune system of laboratory animals. Environ Health Perspect. 1973 Sep;5:149–162. doi: 10.1289/ehp.7305149. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Warshaw R., Fischbein A., Thornton J., Miller A., Selikoff I. J. Decrease in vital capacity in PCB-exposed workers in a capacitor manufacturing facility. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1979 May 31;320:277–283. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1979.tb56610.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Wassermann M., Nogueira D. P., Tomatis L., Mirra A. P., Shibata H., Arie G., Cucos S., Wassermann D. Organochlorine compounds in neoplastic and adjacent apparently normal breast tissue. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 1976 Apr;15(4):478–484. doi: 10.1007/BF01685076. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Wolff M. S., Fischbein A., Thornton J., Rice C., Lilis R., Selikoff I. J. Body burden of polychlorinated biphenyls among persons employed in capacitor manufacturing. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1982 Feb;49(3-4):199–208. doi: 10.1007/BF00377929. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Zack J. A., Suskind R. R. The mortality experience of workers exposed to tetrachlorodibenzodioxin in a trichlorophenol process accident. J Occup Med. 1980 Jan;22(1):11–14. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Environmental Health Perspectives are provided here courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

RESOURCES