Metabolic consequences of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in sewage sludge.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were discovered in sewage sludge used for fertilizer in Bloomington, Indiana. The PCB had been discharged into the municipal sewage system by an electrical capacitor manufacturing plant. To study the epidemiology and metabolic consequences of PCB exposure an epidemiologic and clinical survey was conducted. Mean serum PCB levels were 17.4 ppb in 89 sludge users, 75.1 ppb in 18 workers with occupational exposure to PCB, 33.6 ppb in 19 members of those workers' families, and 24.4 ppb in 22 community residents without unusual exposure to PCB. In sludge users PCB levels were associated positively with per cent performance of garden care (p = 0.035) and negatively with wearing gloves while gardening (p = 0.021), but were not significantly associated with the amount of sludge used or the duration of exposure. In no groups were chloracne or systemic symptoms of PCB toxicity noted, nor were significant correlations found between PCB levels and tests of hematologic, hepatic, or renal function. Plasma triglyceride levels increased significantly with serum PCB concentrations in both alcohol drinkers and nondrinkers (r = 0.541, n = 36, p < 0.001 for nondrinkers). These data indicate that PCB may alter lipid metabolism at levels of exposure and bioaccumulation insufficient to produce overt symptoms.

Lung cancer in coastal Georgia: a death certificate analysis of occupation: brief communication.

A comparison of death certificate statements on occupation for 858 white males who lived in coastal Georgia counties and who died of lung cancer during 1961--74, and for 858 controls who were of the same age and county of residence revealed a twofold excess risk of lung cancer associated with the construction industry. No elevated risk of lung cancer was found for workers in the wood and paper industries in the urban areas of Savannah, Brunswick, or Waycross, but a threefold increase was uncovered for the remaining coastal counties where the wood and paper industry was the largest employer.

A nationwide survey of heavy metal absorption in children living near primary copper, lead, and zinc smelters.

Arsenic, lead, and cadmium absorption levels were determined in 1774 children 1-5 years old living in 19 USA towns with primary nonferrous metal smelters. Results were compared with data on 258 children of the same age in three communities without smelters. Increased systemic absorption of arsenic, as reflected by urine arsenic content, was noted in children near 10 of 11 copper smelters. Blood lead levels were also modestly elevated near two copper smelters. Near lead and zinc smelters, elevated levels of lead and cadmium in hair provided evidence of external exposure to these elements. Levels of lead in blood were not, however, elevated near any of three lead smelters and were elevated near only two of five zinc smelters. Blood cadmium levels were high near one lead and two zinc smelters. The apparent sources of exposure (except in one community with elevated levels of arsenic in drinking water) were air, soil, and dust contaminated by smelting operations. While the full biologic significance of these findings is not known exposure of children to toxic heavy metals emitted by smelters should be reduced to a minimum.