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Polychlorodibenzodioxin and polychlorodibenzofuran levels in dielectric fluids containing polychlorobiphenyls

1994; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 46; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/02772249409358118

1029-0486

Elena De Felip, Alessandro Di Domenico, M. Falleni, Fabiola Ferri, Nicola Iacovella, G. Menale, P. Tafani, G. Tommasino, L. Turrio Baldassarrpi,

Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment

Abstract Forty‐two dielectric fluids from long‐operated heavy‐duty electrical appliances still in service were assayed for polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs); findings ranged from < 10 μg/kg to =1000 g/kg. A subset of 11 fluids with PCB levels > 5 g/kg was also tested for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Cumulatively, these chemicals were seen to fall in the range of 0.76–77 mg/kg of PCBs; and UCL (95%) were estimated as 7.8 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. PCB, PCDD, and PCDF levels were also measured in 17 heterogeneous matrices from accidents involving electrical equipment. With reference to the above background values, no increases in the PCB‐normalized cumulative PCDD and PCDF levels were detected in connection with explosion‐type accidents, whereas matrices from electrical facilities affected by a fire exhibited PCDD and PCDF level increases which were up to four orders of magnitude (140 g/kg of PCBs, in one case). A set of six wipe specimens from the same accident site yielded the following (cumulative PCDD and PCDF contents given as g/kg of PCBs): range 0.92–25; , 5.9; UCL (95%), 29. PCDD and PCDF concentrations were also converted to TCDD toxicity equivalents: owing to the considerable toxic potential found in some matrices from accident settings involving PCBs, PCB risk management issues were discussed.