PCB contaminated dust on indoor surfaces--health risks and acceptable surface concentrations in residential and occupational settings.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used in diverse purposes such as indoor paints. Removal of these paints with dust creating techniques, like sandblasting, will result in contamination of building surfaces with PCB-containing dust. Objectives of this study was to analyze the PCB concentrations on surfaces after sandblasting with silica using wipe samples and estimate the resulting health risks and further calculate the risk based acceptable PCB surface concentrations that do not cause incremental lifetime cancer risk higher that 10(-5) or does not cause immunosupression effects in residential use or in occupational settings.

Quantitative risk assessment in relation to occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls in the removal of old sealants from buildings.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) among workers involved in the removal of old sealants containing PCB and to evaluate the related long-term health risks by means of quantitative risk assessment.

Methods: Workers' exposure via different exposure routes was estimated from air and material samples and exposure calculations. The health risks were evaluated using unit risks and a reference dose based on animal tests and evaluations made by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States.

Exposure to and acute effects of medium-density fiber board dust.

The goals of this study were (1) to investigate workers' exposure to medium-density fiber (MDF) dust (inhalable dust, particle size),formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds; (2) to study the possible inflammatory nasal reactions caused by exposure to MDF board dust; and (3) to determine the occurrence of irritative symptoms among exposed workers. Nasal lavage fluid was analyzed for cytokines and nitric oxide/nitrite. and inflammatory cells were counted.

Worker exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls in elastic polysulphide sealant renovation.

Worker exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in renovation of prefabricated houses was assessed by biological monitoring of 24 PCB congeners including the 10 most abundant PCBs in elastic polysulphide sealants. Serum samples from 22 exposed and 21 non-exposed men were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionization. Total PCB concentration of 24 PCB congeners in workers' serum varied between 0.