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Chemical Toxicity Paper

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Submitted By longster
Words 1366
Pages 6
Michael Donma
Chem/Tox
Research/Term Paper
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)

Table of Contents
Executive Summary………………………………………………………………3
Chemical Name…………………………………………………………………….3
Physical Properties……………………………………………………………….4
Common Uses……………………………………………………………………….5
Exposure Limits…………………………………………………………………….6
Toxicokinetics……………………………………………………………………….6
Acute Effects…………………………………………………………………………7
Chronic Effects………………………………………………………………………8
Personal Protective Equipment……………………………………………..9
Industrial Hygiene sampling………………………………………………..10
Reference……………………………………………………………………………11
Safety Data Sheet ……..……………………………………………………….13

Chemical Name and Executive Summary The chemical I chose to write my paper about is Polychlorinated biphenyl or PCB. Polychlorinated biphenyls were manufactured from 1929 until it was banned in 1979. PCB’s were used in hundreds of things because of their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point, and electrical insulating characteristics. PCB’s range in form from light oil to a heavy wax. The largest producer of PCB was the Monsanto Corporation who marketed it under the trade name, Aroclor. For years and years PCB was thought as a chemical who had unlimited advantages to human life and no negative consequences. It was used any way possible and was discharged just the same way. Many people simply discarded it into rivers, waterways, and landfills.
It wasn’t until 1960s when the world began to question the health consequences of using PCB. In the late 1960s there was a highly publicized poisoning case in Japan and Taiwan both of the cases were involving rice oils contaminated with PCBs. As public awareness rose and the chemical began to come under fire from the public Monsanto Corporation voluntarily discontinued most of the production and use of Polychlorinated biphenyl. Finally in the middle to late 1970s congress decided they should step in and try to control the use of PCB. “Congress enacted the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq., TSCA § 2 et seq., to develop adequate data on and regulate chemicals, including PCBs, to ensure that they would not “present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.”” (HEAD) This research leads to many EPA regulations on PCBs including disposal and cleanup rules and procedures.

Physical Properties Polychlorinated biphenyl is a man-made organic chemical compound of chlorine attached to biphenyl. This chemical compound is a part of the family known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. The chemical formula for a PCB is C12H10-xClx. There are 209 different combinations of PBC’s in which at least 130 of the arrangements and orientations are used commercially. There are many physical properties of Polychlorinated biphenyl. One important property of PCBs is their general inertness. They resist both acids and alkalis and have thermal stability. PCBs are also insoluble in water, but are soluble in lipids (fats). PCBs are very stable compounds and do not decompose readily. This is due to their chemical inability to oxidize and reduce in the natural environment. Furthermore, PCBs have a long half-life (8 to 15 years) which makes getting rid of them tough to do.

Common Uses * * Adhesives * Asphalt Roofing Materials * Carbonless Copy Paper * Caulking * Compressor Oil * De-dusting Agents * Dielectric Fluid * Dyes * Electromagnets * Fluorescent Light Ballasts * Grout * Heat Transfer Fluid * Inks * Insulating Coatings - Military Applications - Mixed with Asbestos * Lubricants * Natural Gas Pipeline * Paints * Pesticides * Plasticizers * Rubberizes * Space Heaters * Submersible Well Pumps * Tar Paper * Wax Extenders

Common Names * * Clophen (Bayer, Germany) * Aroclor (Monsanto, USA)* * Kanechlor (Kanegafuchi, Japan) * Santotherm (Mitsubishi, Japan) * Phenoclor and Pyralene (Prodolec, France)
Exposure Limits
OSHA (PEL) Permissible Exposure Limits (TWA) Time Weighted Average:
0.5mg/m3[skin]

NIOSH (REL) Recommended Exposure Limits:
Ca TWA 0.001 mg/m3

NIOSH IDLH: Ca 5 mg/m3
TLV: 0.5 mg/m3 as TWA: (skin); A3; (ACGIH 2004)

MAK: 0.05 ppm, 0.70 mg/m3 H
Peak limitation category: II (8); Carcinogen category: 3B; pregnancy risk group B

Toxicokinetics
Inhalation:
Inhalation absorption of PCB’s data is insufficient to determine the rate at which it is absorbed but inhalation is one of the major routes of exposure to PCB in the workplace. Although not many studies have been done regarding inhalation one concluded that workers who inhaled a significant concentration of PCB found traces in their body tissues and their body fluids.
Oral:
Oral exposure of PCBs though consumption of food or drinks is the number one route of exposure to PCBs for the average person. Near hazardous wastes sites additional exposure can be caused by contaminated water and soil. “1994 estimates of PCB exposure for the contemporary UK claimed that approximately 97% of PCB exposure for the general population was due to food consumption.” (ENHS) PCB has been found in contaminated fish, milk and dairy products, vegetables and meat and animal fat accounted for the majority of the contaminated food.
Dermal:
Although dermal exposure is not of main concern to the general population, dermal exposure is problematic in the manufacturing industry. Although it hasn’t been tested on humans and animal testing has given varying results, this is still considered a major route of absorption.

Acute Effects
None Found

Chronic Effects PCBs have been shown to cause many different health effects in animal testing. One of the major findings was the causing of cancer. PCBs have also caused many other effects including weakening the immune system, damaging the reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems as well as some other health effects. The studies did in humans support the results PCBs causing cancer and causing the other health effects.
CANCER
The EPA has done numerous animal and human studies to determine if PCBs are in fact carcinogens. They have determined that PCBs are probable human carcinogens given the fact that there is clear evidence that PCBs caused cancer in animals. They tested every type of commercial PCB created and determined that every single one caused cancer in rats.
NON-CANCER EFFECTS The immune system effects of PCB exposure have been studied in monkeys, who have similar immune systems as humans. Some of the effects in these monkeys included a significant decrease in the size of the thymus gland and a decreased resistance to Epstein-Barr virus and other infections in PCB exposed animals. The reproductive effects of PCBs have been studied using various animals including mice, monkeys, and rats. PCB exposure were found to reduce the birth weight, conception rates and live birth rates of monkeys and other species and PCB exposure reduced sperm counts in rats. Effects in monkeys were long-lasting and were observed long after the dosing with PCBs occurred. Neurological effects of PCB were tested on monkeys. Newborn monkeys exposed to PCBs showed persistent and significant deficits in neurological development, including visual recognition, short-term memory and learning. Some of these studies were conducted using the types of PCBs most commonly found in human breast milk. Endocrine effects of PCBs are an ongoing study but PCBs have shown effects on thyroid hormone levels in humans and animals. It has also caused some animals to lose hearing. (EPA)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Because PCBs are so deadly it is important for all workers try to avoid and prevent any exposure to skin and eyes and avoid any kind of ingestion. You must wear: * Suitable chemical and/or oil resistant gloves (see the glove manufacturer’s
Specifications for suitability) * Goggles if there is potential for a chemical or oil splash hazard * Protective clothing such as a coverall or work apron

Industrial Hygiene Sampling To get a sample of PCB you would likely just take a liquid sample or a solid sample. If you needed an air sample you would have to just take some air from the workplace and capture it in an air tight container.

References

Endocrine Disruptors: Toxicokinetics. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/endocrine/toxicokinetics.html

CDC (2015, February 13). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0126.html

Fiedler, H. (n.d.). Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.chem.unep.ch/pops/pops_inc/proceedings/bangkok/fiedler1.html

Head, T. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.balch.com/files/Publication/a398308c-8127-41ee-b6bb-38fa16d76bda/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/569e4dcf-dc3c-4d54-b543-0a7fa02d93cc/PCB - THead.pdf

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/

Basic Information. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.epa.gov/wastes/hazard/tsd/pcbs/about.htm

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