Biomaterial Database

Use and health effects of Aroclor 1242, a polychlorinated biphenyl, in an electrical industry. 1976

H K Ouw, and G R Simpson, and D S Siyali

Aroclor 1242, a chlorinated biphenyl, is widely used as a dielectric medium in transformers and capacitors. In this survey, thirty-four occupationally exposed workers were examined. Complaints consisted of a burning sensation of the face and hands, nausea, and a persistent body odor. One had chloracne, and five suffered from an eczematous rash on the legs and hands. Although hepatic function tests were normal, the mean blood Aroclor level in the exposed group (approximately 400 ppb) was significantly higher than in the control group. A tentative value of 200 ppb is suggested for Aroclor 1242 as an acceptable level for occupationally exposed workers. The use of an efficient exhaust ventilation to maintain air concentrations below the threshold limit value, and the regular measurements of hepatic function and of blood Aroclor concentrations in exposed workers are recommended.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008111	Liver Function Tests	Blood tests that are used to evaluate how well a patient's liver is working and also to help diagnose liver conditions.	Function Test, Liver,Function Tests, Liver,Liver Function Test,Test, Liver Function,Tests, Liver Function
D008452	Maximum Allowable Concentration	The maximum exposure to a biologically active physical or chemical agent that is allowed during an 8-hour period (a workday) in a population of workers, or during a 24-hour period in the general population, which does not appear to cause appreciable harm, whether immediate or delayed for any period, in the target population. (From Lewis Dictionary of Toxicology, 1st ed)	Maximum Permissible Exposure Level,MPEL,Maximum Permissible Exposure Concentration,Allowable Concentration, Maximum,Allowable Concentrations, Maximum,Concentration, Maximum Allowable,Concentrations, Maximum Allowable,MPELs,Maximum Allowable Concentrations
D009784	Occupational Diseases	Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment.	Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D011078	Polychlorinated Biphenyls	Industrial products consisting of a mixture of chlorinated biphenyl congeners and isomers. These compounds are highly lipophilic and tend to accumulate in fat stores of animals. Many of these compounds are considered toxic and potential environmental pollutants.	PCBs,Polychlorinated Biphenyl,Polychlorobiphenyl Compounds,Biphenyl, Polychlorinated,Biphenyls, Polychlorinated,Compounds, Polychlorobiphenyl
D002057	Burns, Chemical	Burns caused by contact with or exposure to CAUSTICS or strong ACIDS.	Chemical Burns,Burn, Chemical,Chemical Burn
D004560	Electricity	The physical effects involving the presence of electric charges at rest and in motion.
D004781	Environmental Exposure	The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals.	Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D005126	Eye Burns	Injury to any part of the eye by extreme heat, chemical agents, or ultraviolet radiation.	Burn, Eye,Burns, Eye,Eye Burn
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000042	Absorption	The physical or physiological processes by which substances, tissue, cells, etc. take up or take in other substances or energy.