Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemical chlorine compounds used as insulating and cooling agents and in hydraulic systems. More than 200 different substances can be distinguished. In Germany, however, these agents have been banned in open systems since 1987. PCBs (especially the compounds PCB 28, 52,101) are mainly ingested through the following foods:

  • Butter
  • Fish
  • Meat/sausage
  • Milk

Other PCB compounds (e.g. 138, 153, 180) are absorbed mainly through the respiratory tract and/or the skin. The ingested PCB is stored mainly in fatty tissue, but also in the blood as well as in breast milk. Note: Polychlorinated biphenyls belong to the group of endocrine disruptors (synonym: xenohormones), which can damage health even in the smallest quantities by altering the hormone system. Symptoms of PCB exposure are:

  • Chloracne
  • Arthralgia (joint pain)
  • Cephalgia (headache)
  • Skin lesions
  • Immunosuppression
  • Eyelid edema
  • Fatigue
  • Neuropathy (nerve damage)

The procedure

Material needed

  • EDTA blood (B)
  • Blood plasma (P)

Preparation of the patient

  • Not necessary

Disruptive factors

  • Not known

Standard values – PCB 28

Background load Upper limit
<10 ng/l (B) < 200 ng/l (P)

Standard values – PCB 52

Background load Upper limit
<10 ng/l (B) < 200 ng/l (P)

Standard values – PCB 101

Background load Upper limit
30-60 ng/l (B) 100 ng/l (B)
<200 ng/l (P)

Standard values – PCB 138

Age Background load Upper limit
< 30J. 200-300 ng/l (B) 470 ng/l (B)
> 30J. 1-2 μg/l (B) 3 μg/l (B)
< 10 J. 0.8 μg/l (P)
11-20 J. 1.2 μg/l (P)
21-30 J. 1.5 μg/l (P)
31-40 J. 1.6 μg/l (P)
41-50 J. 2.4 μg/l (P)
51-60 J. 4.4 μg/l (P)

Standard values – PCB 153

Age Background load Upper limit
< 30 J. 300-400 ng/l (B) 600 ng/l (B)
> 30 J. < 1-2 μg/l (B) 3 μg/l (B)
< 10 J. 0.9 μg/l (P)
11-20 J. 1.5 μg/l (P)
21-30 J. 1.9 μg/l (P)
31-40 J. 2.3 μg/l (P)
41-50 J. 3.2 μg/l (P)
51-60 J. 5 μg/l (P)

Standard values – PCB 180

Age Background load Upper limit
< 30 J. 100-200 ng/l (B) 300 ng/l (B)
< 10 J. 0.5 μg/l (P)
11-20 J. 1.1 μg/l (P)
21-30 J. 1.7 μg/l (P)
31-40 J. 1.6 μg/l (P)
41-50 J. 7.5 μg/l (P)
51-60 J. 4.1 μg/l (P)

Indications

  • Suspicion of PCP contamination

Interpretation

Interpretation of lowered values

  • Not relevant to disease

Interpretation of elevated values

  • PCP load