James Melius

Assessing the health effects of potential exposure to PCBs, dioxins, and furans from electrical transformer fires: the Binghamton State Office Building medical surveillance program.

A medical surveillance program has been established for 482 persons who were potentially exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins, and dibenzofurans from an electrical transformer fire in a Binghamton, NY office building in 1981. Blood samples were analyzed for serum concentrations of PCBs and for biochemical and hematologic parameters at the time of the fire and 9 to 12 mo later. Firefighters and individuals who were in the building for 25 hr or more were also asked about post-fire symptomatology and examined after 1 yr for disorders of the skin, eyes, liver, and neurologic system. The results indicated that reported exposure was positively related to mean serum PCB levels (p = .004). The means and individual values, however, were within the range reported by other studies of persons with no unusual exposures. Significant correlations were observed between serum PCB concentrations and levels of liver enzymes and lipids, but mean levels of these biochemical parameters were not associated with reported exposure after adjustment for relevant covariables. Approximately one-half of those examined had skin lesions, but no cases of chloracne were detected, and there was no clinical evidence of any other exposure-related systemic disorder. The data suggest that exposure to contaminants from the building did not result in substantial absorption or cause any major short-term health effects.

Neurologic dysfunction from exposure to 2-t-butylazo-2-hydroxy-5-methylhexane (BHMH): a new occupational neuropathy

Seven cases of subacute central and peripheral neurologic dysfunction developed in 18 workers employed in the manufacture of reinforced plastic bathtubs. Cases were characterized by weight loss, dizziness, paresthesias, muscle weakness, incontinence, memory loss, and loss of peripheral, color, and night vision. Neuropathies began distally, involved both sensory and motor function, and were associated with prolonged sensory latency, muscle fibrillation, and reduced numbers of functioning motor units. One patient developed posterior lenticular cataracts. Slow improvement occurred on removal from exposure, but residual neuropathies persisted for as long as two years. Epidemiologic investigation disclosed that the first case developed approximately two weeks after introduction of a new plastic foaming agent, 2-t-butylazo-2-hydroxy-5-methylhexane (BHMH). All cases occurred in workers exposed directly to BHMH. No new cases developed after use of BHMH was discontinued. A survey of the firm which produced BHMH and of 68 user firms found two additional clusters of mild neuropathy which may have been caused by BHMH. BHMH was withdrawn from distribution following discovery of these cases. Subsequently, BHMH has been shown in rats to be a potent neurotoxin. Adequate premarket testing could have averted this outbreak.

PCB, PCDF, and PCDD exposure following a transformer fire: Chicago

Abstract On September 28, 1983, an electrical fire in a transformer vault resulted in the loss of 15 gallons of transformer oil composed of 65% PCBs (Aroclor 1260) and 35% trichlorobenzene and forced the precautionary evacuation of a major Chicago office building. A square foot wipe sample of soot on the vault ceiling contained 28,000 ng total TCDFs, 3,800 ng 2,3,7,8-TCDF, 40,000 ng PCDFs, 33,000 ng HxCDFs, 11,200 ng HpCDFs, 1,238 ng OCDFs, 314 ng HpCDDs, and 127 ng OCDDs. No PCDFs or PCDDs were detected in the blood (detection limit 3–40 ppt) of two fire fighters hospitalized with smoke inhalation nor of two office employees similarly exposed.

A comparative assessment of major international disasters: the need for exposure assessment, systematic emergency preparedness, and lifetime health care

BackgroundThe disasters at Seveso, Three Mile Island, Bhopal, Chernobyl, the World Trade Center (WTC) and Fukushima had historic health and economic sequelae for large populations of workers, responders and community members.MethodsComparative data from these events were collected to derive indications for future preparedness. Information from the primary sources and a literature review addressed: i) exposure assessment; ii) exposed populations; iii) health surveillance; iv) follow-up and research outputs; v) observed physical and mental health effects; vi) treatment and benefits; and vii) outreach activities.ResultsExposure assessment was conducted in Seveso, Chernobyl and Fukushima, although none benefited from a timely or systematic strategy, yielding immediate and sequential measurements after the disaster. Identification of exposed subjects was overall underestimated. Health surveillance, treatment and follow-up research were implemented in Seveso, Chernobyl, Fukushima, and at the WTC, mostly focusing on the workers and responders, and to a lesser extent on residents. Exposure-related physical and mental health consequences were identified, indicating the need for a long-term health care of the affected populations. Fukushima has generated the largest scientific output so far, followed by the WTCHP and Chernobyl. Benefits programs and active outreach figured prominently in only the WTC Health Program. The analysis of these programs yielded the following lessons: 1) Know who was there; 2) Have public health input to the disaster response; 3) Collect health and needs data rapidly; 4) Take care of the affected; 5) Emergency preparedness; 6) Data driven, needs assessment, advocacy.ConclusionsGiven the long-lasting health consequences of natural and man-made disasters, health surveillance and treatment programs are critical for management of health conditions, and emergency preparedness plans are needed to prevent or minimize the impact of future threats.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls from an overheated transformer

Abstract A Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) containing transformer released approximately 50 gallons of askarel oil. No polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) or polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD) were detected in a sample of the askarel (analytical limit of detection of 40 parts per billion per isomer group). Skin irritation, unusual tiredness, and headaches occurred in approximately 20% of the individuals at the scene of the incident. Serum PCB levels, and mean values for blood and urine tests were within normal ranges.