Abstract
Local and systemic effects associated with polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) exposure are well established in animal and human studies. PCBs are highly resistant to dechlorination and persist for long periods of time in the environment. Documented spills of PCB-contaminated fluids occurred at a federal scrap yard, where, historically, capacitors containing PCB dielectric fluid were crushed. The purposes of this investigative, industrial hygiene study were: (1) to evaluate the potential occupational health hazards and associated impacts experienced by environmental personnel involved in site investigation and environmental sampling activities at the federal scrap yard; (2) to characterize environmental personnel exposures to airborne concentrations of PCBs (42 and 54% chlorine); and (3) to determine airborne concentrations of PCBs at specific worksite locations of maximum anticipated air contaminant concentration. Air samples were collected and analyzed in accordance with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Method 5503 and U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency Technical Guide No. 141. Sampling media consisted of 13-mm glass fiber filters (without binders) in Swinnex cassettes, followed by glass tubes (7-cm length, 6-mm outer diameter, 4-mm inner diameter) containing two sections of 30/48 mesh deactivated Florisil[rgrave]. Sampling involved 30-minute time-weighted average (TWA) excursion limit (TWAEL) and 8-hour TWA (TWA8) periods. For personal breathing zone (BZ) air samples, the calculated TWAEL concentrations of PCBs ranged from <0.0859 to <0.0896 mg/m3 [n = 14, geometric mean (GM) <0.0873 mg/m3, geometric standard deviation (GSD) = 1.0115] and the calculated TWA8 concentrations of PCBs ranged from <0.0110 to <0.0127 mg/m3 (n = 12, GM < 0.0121 mg/m3, GSD = 1.0422). For environmental general area (GA) air samples, the calculated TWA8 concentrations of PCBs ranged from <0.0120 to <0.0147 mg/m3 (n = 8, GM < 0.0128 mg/m3, GSD = 1.0728). I concluded that: (1) the airborne concentrations of PCBs present during site investigation and environmental sampling activities at the federal scrap yard did not present or cause an occupational health hazard; (2) all sampled employees were exposed to personal BZ air concentrations of PCBs less than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) exposure assessment criteria; (3) all environmental GA air concentrations of PCBs at specific worksite locations of maximum anticipated air contaminant concentration were less than the OSHA and ACGIH exposure assessment criteria; and (4) all employees wore adequate and appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment ensembles. This research study contributes significantly to the field of industrial hygiene by stressing the importance of documenting chemical exposures associated with hazardous waste operations. Morgan, D.A.: Evaluation of Polychlorobiphenyl Exposure Levels During Site Investigation and Environmental Sampling Activities at a Hazardous Waste Spill Site.