Persistently elevated polychlorinated biphenyl levels from residual contamination of workplace surfaces

PCB reduction and clinical improvement by detoxification: an unexploited approach?

1. A detoxification trial was administered to a female worker from a capacitor factory who had been exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other lipophilic industrial chemicals. 2. The patient presented with severe abdominal complaints, chloracne, liver abnormalities, and a spontaneous nipple discharge of approximately 50 ml d-1. 3. PCB levels were high in adipose tissue (102 mg kg-1), serum, (512 micrograms l-1), skin lipids (66.3 mg kg-1), and in the nipple discharge (712 micrograms l-1). 4. The patient's history, the medical evaluation and prior unsuccessful symptomatic treatments were indicative of consequences elicited by occupational exposure to chemicals. 5. Detoxification treatment reduced the PCB levels in adipose tissue to 37.4 mg kg-1 and in serum to 261 micrograms l-1, a 63% and 49% reduction, respectively. 6. The nipple discharge ceased and the symptoms improved. 7. Excretion of intact PCBs in sebum was appreciable before treatment and was enhanced by up to five-fold during detoxification. 8. This therapeutic approach appears promising for cases involving occupational exposure to lipophilic chemicals.