Evidence of an unusual pattern of polychlorinated biphenyls in the serum of some residents and canines in Paoli, Pennsylvania.

Abstract

The present study uses gas liquid chromatography (GLC) electron capture detection with packed and capillary columns to detect polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in serum samples from people living near the electric car repair and maintenance facility of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority in Paoli, Pennsylvania. Most of the cohort surveyed had serum patterns similar to patterns for Aroclor 1260 (AR 1260); a small portion (3/89) had patterns indicative of an AR with higher chlorination (e.g., AR 1268). In addition to analyzing serum samples from humans, we also analyzed serum samples from canines (pets of some of the subjects). In general, the serum pattern for canines was less descriptive for AR 1260 than the pattern for humans; however, the pattern for several canines (9/16) was that of the higher chlorinated PCBs (e.g., AR 1268). By using mass spectrometry and capillary column GLC, we confirmed the presence of high molecular weight polychlorinated congeners in both human and animal samples. We were not able to show a statistically significant relationship between serum patterns of PCBs in canines and their owners or between canines and certain behavioral traits (e.g., runs free, retrieves, hours outside, hours inside). However, the correlation between PCBs quantified as AR 1268 and canines' residence time was statistically significant.