Exposed and control human blood levels from Guam and Binghamton workers and Yusho patients

Abstract

The blood of some potentially PCB exposed Guam and Binghamton workers were analyzed by comparing the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels with those of Yusho patients and examining the concentration ratios of 2,3′,4,4′,5-penta-CB and 2,3,3′,4,4′,5-hexa-CB which pattern is characteristic for Yusho patients. The average total PCB level of some Guam and Binghamton workers was less than that of Yusho patients and higher than that of Fukuoka controls. Typical Yusho patterns of low 2,3′,4,4′,5-penta-CB/2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexa-CB ratio and high 2,3,3′,4,4′,5-hexa-CB/2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexa-CB ratio was not observed in the blood PCBs of Guam and Binghamton workers. However, one of the Guam workers having high PCB levels in blood showed low 2,3′,4,4′,5-penta-CB/2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexa-CB ratio similar to that of Yusho patients.