NCD980602163_19830719_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_Analysis of Chemicals in the PCB Spill other than PCB-OCR

...
Ronald H. Levine, M.D., M .P.H.
DIVISION OF HEALTH SERVIC S
P.O . Box 2091
Raleigh, N.C. 27602-2091
MEMORANDUM
TO: Robert Jansen
FR OM: Bill Meyer
Ju 1 y 19, 1983
SUBJECT: Analysis of Chemicals in the PCB Spill other than PCB
Identified but not quantified (trace quantities)
triphenyl tin hydroxide
terphenyls and related dimers of biphenyls
chlorinated diphenylethers
napthalenes (and possibly biphenylenes)
Identified and quantified
chlorinated di benzofurans::.;l -66 ppb
(primarily heptas, octas with some hexas)
STATE HEAL TH DIRECTOR
The raw data including graphs and print-outs are available through
the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the
Research Triangle Park.
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Jo me~ B Hun•. Jr/ Sarah T Morrow MD MPH $TATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES ' . ' . GOVERNOR SKRET ARY
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DEPARTMENT OF HEAL TH, EDUCATION, AND WELFA~E ff f9 r, ~
PUBLIC HEAL TH SERVICE ,, -'t) ./ ✓ /J.,' t,.},.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEAL TH ~ ror ~vi, (C,.'
Y ~ NATIONAJINSTi~UTE y November 17 197 8 ./ ..,,. ' ENv1RoNMENTAL HEALTH sc1ENcES ' /> l',O. BOX 12233
/ RESLJ.RCH TRIANCU: PARK, N.C. ::Z770S
Dr. Martin P. Hines
Chief, Epidemiology Section
State of North Carolina
Department of Human Resources
Division of Health Services
P. 0. Box 2091
Raleigh, NC 27602
Dear Dr. Hines:
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This letter is to briefly summarize -:for your fi l es the results of our
analytical studies with samples (serum and grass ) associ ated ~ith the
PCB spills.
The results of the individual analyses of human blood serum for PCBs
have been provided previously and will not be repeated here. However,
three composite samples were made by pooling samples No. 3, 5, 12, 13,
and -19 (control); samples No. l, 8, 14, 16, and 17 (exposed low); and
samples No. 9, 10, and 11 (exposed high). This was done to see if the
residues found in exposed cases more closely resembled a 1260 pattern
than a 1254 pattern. The results reported by the contract laboratory
were as fo 11 ows:
Aroclor 1254 Aroclor 1260
---
Control 19. 7 ppb None
Exposed low 13.0 ppb None
Exposed high <10 .0 ppb 30.0 ppb
These results have not been confirmed yet by mass spectr9metric techniques,
but if this should fail, it would probably be due to lack of instrument
sensitivity. Although the presence of small amounts of chlorinated
benzenes was i ndi ca ted from gas chroma tography-e 1 ec tron capture detection,
it could not be confirmed using mass spectrometric techniques. This
could reflect the high volatility oy these compounds .
Grass and soil samples were collected from eight different sites (see
attached map) including control samples on August 17 and ·is, 1978. Only
the grass samples were extracted and analyzed using methods previously
applied to chlorinated furans and dioxins in biological fluids and
tissues. A control spiked sample was prepared and analyzed which
indicated good recovery for the extraction step.
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The presence of Aroclor 1260 was confirmed at about 20% by weight of the
grass samples (except for the Fort Bragg sample which was essentially
straight fluid from a puddle). Confirmation of the 1260 pattern had
been done previously using radioimmunoassay techniques. The Fort Bragg
sample was also shown to contain chlorinated benzenes.
Triphenyl tin hydroxide was found in most of the samples. This apparently
is a breakdown product of tetraphenyl tin used as an antioxidant additive
in such fluids in the past.
Almost all of the samples contained terphenyls and apparently related
higher forms such as dimers of the biphenyls. These are not totally
unexpected contaminants.
Chlorinated dibenzofurans were foun~ at varying levels be tween one and
sixty six ppb. The predominant isomers were the heptas and octas with
some hexas. The concentration in the total mixtu re wo ul d appear to be
less t han 0.5 ppm, a level consJstent with t hat fo und in unused fluids
of this type. The analysis for chlorinated dioxi ns was made difficult
by the presence of the furans, but none could be confi rmed as present in
these samples.
A variety of other trace contaminants were found which remain unconfirmed.
These include, among others , the chlorinated diphenylethers, napthalenes,
and possibly the biphenylenes.
If you should desire to see the raw data (extraction procedures, chromatograms,
spectra, etc.), we would be glad to provide it on request. There is
some possibility that all or part of this data may be pu blished, but it
will be done in such a way as not to be identifiable with human subjects.
If you should hav~ any further questions about these analyses, please do
not hesitate to contact me directly .
cc: Dr. Moore
Dr . Albro
Dr. Hass
Sin;er~?ly)(r;~I-.
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James D. McKinney, Ph':-0.
Head, Chemistry Section, EBCB