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Persistently elevated polychlorinated biphenyl levels from residual contamination of workplace surfaces
Author(s) -
Christiani David C.,
Kriebel David,
Fox Nancy J.,
Baker Edward L.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700100205
Subject(s) - polychlorinated biphenyl , contamination , medicine , reuse , occupational exposure , work (physics) , environmental health , toxicology , environmental chemistry , environmental science , waste management , ecology , mechanical engineering , chemistry , engineering , biology
A short‐term follow‐up study was performed on 55 workers in a gear plant exposed to PCB that contaminated the work surfaces. Current work did not involve the use of PCBs. Exposure was to residual PCB left behind by a capacitor company which formerly used the site. Elevated PCB levels were found in production area workers; these elevations persisted on retesting 1 year later. Efforts should be made to identify potentially toxic materials left behind on work surfaces of buildings before remodeling or reuse.