Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Plasma of Yusho Patients and Ordinary Persons

Abstract

Plasma samples of Yusho patients and ordinary persons were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The extraction and cleanup of the plasma were performed basically with the method which Jensen had reported with some modifications.
PCB were detected in all of the 762 plasma samples. PCB concentrations in plasma of Yusho patients ranged from 3 to 47ppb in Fukuoka, from 2 to 57ppb in Goto, and those of ordinary persons ranged from 2 to 9ppb in Fukuoka, from 2 to 30ppb in Goto. The mean levels of the patients (9.3ppb in Fukuoka, 14.4ppb in Goto) were higher than those of ordinary persons (4.2ppb in Fukuoka, 8.8ppb in Goto). The majority of Yusho patients showed a peculiar peak pattern in gas chromatogram of plasma PCB, and the PCB concentrations were at high levels in most cases. But PCB in plasma of 15% of the patients were not different from those of ordinary persons both in concentration and in peak pattern. Regional difference and sex difference in PCB concentrations were found. Several ordinary persons with high levels of PCB, over the mean level for patients, were found in Goto. In addition, the peak patterns of PCB in Goto residents were a little different from those in Fukuoka. The children under 15 years old had lower levels of PCB than the older people. Residue levels in plasma seemed not to have varied significantly from 1972 to 1975.
The investigation suggests that PCB still remains in Yusho patients eight years later since the accident, but regarding the concentration, some ordinary persons would have the same degree of PCB in their plasma as patients at present. The following reasons are assumed for the peculiar peak pattern to patients.
1) KC-400 were deformed by heating before were administered.
2) Patients administered a great deal of PCB.
3) Metabolic rates of indivisual PCB compornents are different.