3,3',5,5'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alcohol foam extinguishers. Vapors are heavier than air and will collect in low areas. Vapors in confined areas may explode when exposed to fire. Containers may explode in fire. Storage containers and parts of containers may rocket great distances, in many directions. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Notify local health and fire officials and pollution control agencies. From a secure, explosion-proof location, use water spray to cool exposed containers. If cooling streams are ineffective (venting sound increases in volume and pitch, tank discolors, or shows any signs of deforming), withdraw immediately to a secure position ... The only respirators recommended for fire fighting are self-contained breathing apparatuses that have full facepieces and are operated in a pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

If material on fire or involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Keep run-off water out of sewers and water sources. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from strong oxidizers (such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine). A regulated marked area should be established where this chemical is handled, used, or stored ... /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Drums, transformers, and other containers should be frequently inspected for leakage. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Detached storage must be used. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

PCB material should be stored in closed containers, in ventilated areas ... PCB's should be handled in isolated areas of the plant, where efficient ventilation systems remove airborne PCB's. ... /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Evacuate and restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. Remove all ignition sources. Ventilate area of spill or leak. Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, peat, carbon, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. Keep this chemical out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive concentrations. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection or your regional office of the federal EPA for specific recommendations ... Spills of one pound or more must be reported to the EPA. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Stop or control the leak, if this can be done without undue risk. Absorb in noncombustible material for proper disposal. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Environmental considerations: Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, or holding area to contain liquid or solid material. /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder, or commercial sorbents. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Environmental considerations: Water spill: Use natural barriers or oil spill control booms to limit spill travel. Remove trapped material with suction hoses. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Environmental considerations: air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, use absorbent paper to pick up all liquid spill material. Your contaminated clothing and absorbent paper should be sealed in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with alcohol followed by washing with a strong soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Incineration (3000 °F) with scrubbing to remove any chlorine-containing products. In addition, some chemical waste landfills have been approved for PCB disposal. More recently, treatment with metallic sodium has been advocated which yields a low molecular weight polyphenylene and sodium chloride.

Experiments on the combustion of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in 1 m-long tube furnace indicated that PCB containing approx 40% Cl is destroyed within 3-4 min at 900-1000 °C using 100% excess air. Temperatures greater than 1000 °C are required to destroy PCB containing approx 60% Cl & distillation residues arising from PCB manufacturing. Domestic waste incinerators operating at 800-900 °C are unlikely to prove suitable for incinerating waste containing trace amt of PCB. Pyrolysis experiments at 900 °C with nominal residence time of 3.5 sec gave 40-60% recovery of Cl as HCl from PCB. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Polychlorinated biphenyls (375 g) mixed in 1242 l of #2 fuel oil was disposed of in a cement kiln incinerator with a temperature range of 1400-1450 °C. The destruction efficiency was >99.9998%. /Polychlorinated biphenyls, from table/

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for Aroclor 1248 (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

If material not on fire and not involved in fire: Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Personnel protection: Keep upwind. Avoid breathing vapors ... Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

/The worker in confined spaces/ should wear appropriate protective equipment, and be connected by a lifeline harness to an outside worker. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for Aroclor 1248 (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

3.0 [mg/m3]

360 [mg/m3]

2200 [mg/m3]

There are no specific treatments for PCB poisoning, since it is not usually recognized until after substantial chronic exposure. Only preventing further exposure and treating the observed symptoms can be done. Acute inhalation can be treated by administering oxygen. (L4)

Acute parenteral administration of several commercial PCB mixtures (Aroclors 1242, 1248, 1254, and 1260) and a synthetic mixture of PCB congeners reflective of PCBs detected in human milk antagonized 2,3,7,8-TCDD /2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin/-induced impairment of the immune response to SRBC /sheep red blood cells/ in mice at PCB:TCDD dose ratios > 1000:1 Aroclor 1232 had no effect on TCDD-induced immunotoxicity in these studies. Aroclor doses that antagonized the acute immunotoxicity of single doses of 0.0012 or 0.0036 mg/kg 2,3,7,8-TCDD ranged from about 1 to 50 mg/kg/day. Among seven individual PCB congeners examined for their ability to influence this immunotoxic action of single intraperitoneal doses of 0.0012 ug/kg 2,3,7,8-TCDD in mice (six hexachlorobiphenyls and one pentachlorobiphenyl with different chlorine substitution patterns), three were antagonistic (the 2,3,3',4,5,5'-, 2,3,3',4,5'- and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-congeners), and 4 showed no influence (the 2,3,3',4,4',5' -, 2,3',4,4',5',6-, 2,2',4,4',5,6'-, and 2,2',4,4',6,6'-congeners ). In these studies, doses of individual PCB congeners ranged from about 1 to 100 - 300 mg/kg. Oral co-exposure of pregnant mice to 244 mg/kg Aroclor 1254 and 0.020 mg/kg 2,3,7,8-TCDD, at an Aroclor:TCDD dose ratio of 12,200:1, completely antagonized TCDD-induced cleft palate formation in offspring. The complexity of interactions between PCBs and TCDD-induced developmental toxicity is illustrated by observations that, among one tetrachlorobiphenyl and two hexachlorobiphenyl congeners examined, one (the 2,3,3',4,4',5-congener) potentiated TCDD-induced cleft palate formation and the other two (the 2,2',4,4'- and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-congeners) antagonized TCDD's actions. Antagonism of TCDD-induced cleft palate formation in mouse offspring by 2,2',4,4'-tetraCB and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB showed complex (i.e., inverted U-shape) relationships with dose. For example, no antagonistic effect (against a TCDD dose of 0.0015 ug/kg) was produced by 10-20 mg/kg doses of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB, but antagonism increased with increasing 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB dose to a maximum (500 mg/kg), and then declined to no antagonism at 1,000 mg/kg 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB. 2,2',4,4',5,5'- HexaCB also antagonized TCDD-induced hydronephrosis in mouse offspring showing a similar inverted U-shape relationship with dose. In contrast, combined exposure of pregnant mice to 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexaCB and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran appeared to additively produce hydronephrosis and cleft palate in the offspring. Several 13-week oral exposure studies have examined possible binary interactions between three PCB congeners (at several dietary concentrations delivering daily doses ranging from about 0.1 to 10 mg/kg/day) and 2,3,7,8-TCDD (at several dietary concentrations delivering daily doses ranging from about 0.00003 to 0.3 mg/kg/day) in influencing several end points in rats. The PCB:TCDD concentration ratios administered in these studies were selected to reflect relative concentrations in samples of human milk and fat. 2,2',4,4',5,5'-HexaCB and 2,3,7,8-TCDD showed joint additive action in decreasing thyroid hormone levels at 4 weeks, but synergistic action at 13 weeks, whereas 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexaCB and 3,3',4,4',5-pentaCB showed less-than-additive joint action with 2,3,7,8-TCDD in decreasing thyroid hormone levels. 2,2',4,4',5-Hexachlorobiphenyl did not influence TCDD-induced effects on body weight and thymus weight, and additively increased relative liver weight with TCDD, whereas 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexaCB and 3,3',4,4',5-pentaCB showed less-than-additive joint action with TCDD on these end points. 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB and 2,3,7,8-TCDD showed a distinct synergism in increasing hepatic porphyrin levels, but 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexaCB and 3,3',4,4',5-pentaCB showed no such synergism with 2,3,7,8-TCDD. All three of these congeners individually decreased hepatic levels of retinol and retinylpalmitate. In combination with TCDD, less-than-additive joint actions were noted, but TCDD doses used in these studies produced a near maximal response in decreasing retinoid levels

The most common health effects of PCBs are skin conditions such as chloracne and rashes. Chronic PCB exposure has also been shown to cause liver, stomach and kidney, damage, jaundice, edema, anemia, changes in the immune system, behavioral alterations, and impaired reproduction. (L4)

LD50 Colinus virginianus (Northern bobwhite quail, age 10 days) oral 1175 ppm for 5 days on treated diet plus 3 days untreated (95% confidence limits: 966-1440 ppm)

LD50 Coturnix coturnix japonica (Japanese quail, age 14 days) oral 4844 ppm for 5 days on treated diet plus 3 days untreated (95% confidence limits: 4355-5410 ppm)

LD50 Phasianus colchicus (ring-necked pheasant, age 10 days) oral 1312 ppm for 5 days on treated diet plus 3 days untreated (95% confidence limits: 1166-1477 ppm)

LD50 Anas platyrhynchos (mallard, age 10 days) oral 2798 ppm for 5 days on treated diet plus 3 days untreated (95% confidence limits: 2264-3422 ppm)

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for Aroclor 1248 (64 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Aroclor 1248 is a mixture of chlorinated biphenyls with the approximate distribution as follows: <0.2% mono-, <1% di-, 20.9% tri-, 60.3% tetra-, 18.1% penta-, 0.8% hexa-, and <0.3% heptachlorobiphenyl(1). Based on a classification scheme(2), an estimated Koc value of 7.7X10+4(SRC) for the representative tetra- isomer, determined from a structure estimation method(3), indicates that Aroclor 1248 is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of Aroclor 1248 from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 4.4X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(4). However, adsorption to soil is expected to attenuate volatilization(SRC). Aroclor 1248 is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 4.94X10-4 mm Hg at 25 °C(5). Volatilization of Aroclor 1248 was reported as 55.5% of the initial concentration after application to subaqueous quartz sand within 24 hrs(6). Congeners with the fewest number of chlorines were preferentially lost(6). Screening studies indicate that Aroclor 1248 is susceptible to biodegradation in soils. The rate and degree of degradation of Aroclors 1248 present in various soils were followed over a 112 day period(7). All soils in the study but one degraded Aroclor 1248 at least 70% in 14 days and over 90% in 112 days(7).

AQUATIC FATE: Aroclor 1248 is a mixture of chlorinated biphenyls with the approximate distribution as follows: <0.2% mono-, <1% di-, 20.9% tri-, 60.3% tetra-, 18.1% penta-, 0.8% hexa-, and <0.3% heptachlorobiphenyl(1). Based on a classification scheme(2), an estimated Koc value of 7.7X10+4(SRC) for the representative tetra- isomer, determined from a structure estimation method(3), indicates that Aroclor 1248 is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(4) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 4.4X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(5). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(4), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 8.4 hours and 8 days, respectively(SRC). However, volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be attenuated by adsorption to suspended solids and sediment in the water column. The volatilization half-life from a model pond is about 50 months when adsorption is considered(6). According to a classification scheme(7), BCFs of 60,000-120,000 in fathead minnows(8), suggest bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is very high(SRC). The higher chlorinated congeners in Aroclor 1248 are susceptible to reductive dechlorination by anaerobic microorganisms found in aquatic sediments(9). After 15 weeks of laboratory incubation in a slurry solution containing 10% sediment spiked with Aroclor 1248, sediment microorganisms from the St. Lawrence River reduced the total number of chlorines by 33%(9). PCB's are chemically very inert and are stable to conditions of hydrolysis and oxidation(10).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Aroclor 1248 is a mixture of chlorinated biphenyls with the approximate distribution as follows: <0.2% mono-, <1% di-, 20.9% tri-, 60.3% tetra-, 18.1% penta-, 0.8% hexa-, and <0.3% heptachlorobiphenyl(1). According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(2), Aroclor 1248, which has a vapor pressure of 4.9X10-4 mm Hg at 25 °C(3), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase Aroclor 1248 is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 12 days(SRC), calculated from a representative component's rate constant of 1.3X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(4). Although PCBs, such as those comprising Aroclor 1248, may be susceptible to photolysis, sufficient experimental data are not available to predict the relative importance of photolysis in the environment(5).

The mechanism of action varies with the specific PCB. Dioxin-like PCBs bind to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which disrupts cell function by altering the transcription of genes, mainly be inducing the expression of hepatic Phase I and Phase II enzymes, especially of the cytochrome P450 family. Most of the toxic effects of PCBs are believed to be results of Ah receptor binding. Other PBCs are believed to interfere with calcium channels and/or change brain dopamine levels. PCBs can also cause endocrine disurption by altering the production of thyroid hormones and binding to estrogen receptors, which can stimulate the growth of certain cancer cells and produce other estrogenic effects, such as reproductive dysfunction. They will bioaccumulate by binding to receptor proteins such as uteroglobin. (A3, A4, A30, A66)

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ 40 ug of Aroclor 1248 /was administered/ to adult female /zebrafinches (Taeniopygia guttata)/ before egg laying. When the progeny were 50 days old, we measured the volumes of the song control nuclei robustus arcopallialis (RA) and higher vocal center (HVC) using light microscopy. Both male and female progeny of exposed birds had a significantly smaller RA than control birds (36 and 16%, respectively; p < or = 0.05). The HVC did not differ in either sex between exposed and control groups...

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ Captive breeding (n = 25 pairs) and nonbreeding (n = 25) American kestrels were exposed to a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (Aroclor 1248:1254:1260) through their diet of day-old cockerels. Kestrels ingested approximately 7 mg/kg body weight each day of PCBs, and this dosage resulted in environmentally relevant total PCB residues in eggs (geometric mean of 34.1 ug/g). An equal number of unexposed birds served as controls ... Exposure to PCBs altered the size of brood patches in American kestrels. PCB-exposed male and female nonbreeders had two of three brood patches that were larger than those of control nonbreeders. Breeding males exposed to PCBs had smaller patches than controls, whereas PCB-exposed female kestrels had one larger and one smaller patch than controls. Patch sizes were not related to total PCB residue levels in eggs of exposed birds. Brood patches were not related to various incubation behaviors or hatching success in either control or PCB-exposed kestrels.

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ This study found abnormalities in multiple reproductive stages in captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius) when exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) through dietary and in ovo exposure. American kestrels laid eggs with environmentally relevant total PCB levels (34.1 ug/g whole egg wet weight) when consuming PCB-spiked (Aroclor 1248:1254:1260) food (5-7 ug/g body weight per day) for 100 day only in 1998. In 1999, the same adults laid eggs with estimated total PCBs of 23 micrograms/g. Effects of maternal (only female exposed) and paternal (only male exposed) in ovo PCB exposure were investigated. Maternal F1 eggs contained predicted total PCB concentrations of 0.34 microgram/g. Specific abnormalities occurred more frequently during dietary F0 exposure, particularly aggressive courtship interactions, clutch abandonment, occurrences of cracked eggs, and developmental effects. Multiple developmental effects were more pronounced during than after dietary PCB exposure of adults, and although these effects were limited, nevertheless they occurred in the F1 maternal and F1 paternal pairs. However, the incidence of multiple deformities throughout the breeding season increased dramatically from 1998 (13%) to 1999 (56%) in F0 PCB-exposed pairs. Developmental abnormalities were unlikely to be attributed to the extrinsic factors of disease, genetics, or nutritional (vitamin D3) deficiencies, but rather to adverse changes in parental behavior and intrinsic factors involving altered genetic material and PCB exposure. Readily cleared PCB congeners may induce specific types of behavioral and developmental abnormalities, but persistent congeners and metabolites are likely producing (1) odd laying patterns, (2) odd laying patterns, (3) developmental effects including embryonic underdevelopment and edema, and (4) increased incidences of multiple deformities within a clutch.

Aroclor 1248 was detected in dead bees, brood comb, honey comb, or honey in poisoned apiaries in Connecticut in 1983-1985(1). Aroclor 1248 was not detected in osprey eggs collected 1989 to 1998 in NJ(2). PCBs were detected in 100% of snapping turtle eggs sampled June 2001 to June 2004, from 15 sites from the lower Canadian Great Lakes Region with Aroclor 1248 representing 1.4-1.7% of the total PCBs(3). Aroclor 1248 was detected at 0.114-0.480 ppm in 44 Canada geese (Branta canadensis) collected Jun 21 and 22, 1994 from the Chicago, IL area(4).

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 1 lb or 0.454 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV.D.3.b).

/Former use/ in hydraulic fluids, vacuum pumps, rubber plasticizers, synthetic resins, and adhesives.

Summary of former end uses for various Aroclors:

PCBs were used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical devices (such as fluorescent lights and refrigerators) produced before 1977. PCBs may contaminate the air and water near hazardouc waste sites. In addition, PCBs bioaccumulate in the environment and may be found in fish, meat, and dairy products. (L4)

Almost without exception, polychlorinated biphenyls contain various levels of polychlorinated dibenzofurans as contaminants. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Found 2 mg chlorinated dibenzofuran/g Aroclor 1248 as impurity.

Chlorinated dibenzofurans /tetra-, penta-, and hexa-PDCFs /were identified in all Aroclor preparations /1248, 1254, 1260/ except Aroclor 1016 /at levels from 0.8 to 2 ppm/.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes have also been identified in ... /Aroclor 1248/.

Clorinated dibenzofuran congener levels in ppm: Cl4, 0.4; Cl5, 2.3; 2,3,7,8-TCDF, 0.2; 2,3,4,7,8-PECDF, 0.8.

Total USA sales in 1970 amounted to 33.2 million kg and comprised ... 1.8 million kg Aroclor 1248. ...

Domestic sales in millions of pounds of Monsanto's Aroclor 1248 in the United States from 1957 to 1970 are as follows: 1.8 (1957); 2.6 (1958); 3.4 (1959); 2.8 (1960); 4.0 (1961); 3.5 (1962); 5.0 (1963); 5.2 (1964); 5.6 (1965); 5.0 (1966); 4.7 (1967); 4.9 (1968); 5.7 (1969); 4.1 (1970).

PCBs /were/ ... prepared industrially by the chlorination of biphenyl with anhydrous chlorine in the presence of a catalyst such as iron filings or ferric chloride. The products are complex mixtures of chlorobiphenyls, whose degree of chlorination depends principally on the time of contact (12-36 hr) of the biphenyl with anhydrous chlorine. The crude product is blown with air, and a small amount of lime is added to remove hydrogen chloride and ferric chloride. The resulting chlorinated mixtures are batch-distilled to remove color and traces of hydrogen chloride and ferric chloride. /Polychlorinated biphenyls/

Composition: dichlorobiphenyls 2%, trichlorobiphenyls 18%, tetrachlorobiphenyls 40%, pentachlorobiphenyls 36%, and hexachlorobiphenyls 4%.

The approximate distribution of chlorinated biphenyls in Aroclor 1248 are as follows: <0.2% mono-, <1% di-, 20.9% tri-, 60.3% tetra-, 18.1% penta-, 0.8% hexa-, and <0.3% heptachlorobiphenyl.

The Aroclors are characterized by four digit numbers. The first two digits indicate that the mixture contains biphenyls (12), triphenyls (54) or both (25, 44); the last two digits give the weight percent of chlorine in the mixture (e.g., Aroclor 1242 contains biphenyls with approximately 42% chlorine). /Polychlorinated biphenyls/