2,2',3,3',4-Pentachlorobiphenyl

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rest. Refer for medical attention .

TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) - Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. Some are TIH materials themselves, e.g., chlorine, and some release TIH gases when spilled in water, e.g., chlorosilanes. [ERG 2016].

0.003 [mg/m3], inhalable fraction[German Research Foundation (DFG)]

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/

Wear full protective clothing and positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus. /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/

PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Storage site should be as close as practicable to lab in which carcinogens are to be used, so that only small quantities required for ... expt need to be carried. Carcinogens should be kept in only one section of cupboard, an explosion-proof refrigerator or freezer (depending on chemicophysical properties ...) that bears appropriate label. An inventory ... should be kept, showing quantity of carcinogen & date it was acquired ... Facilities for dispensing ... should be contiguous to storage area. /Chemical Carcinogens/

PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": A high-efficiency particulate arrestor (HEPA) or charcoal filters can be used to minimize amt of carcinogen in exhausted air ventilated safety cabinets, lab hoods, glove boxes or animal rooms ... Filter housing that is designed so that used filters can be transferred into plastic bag without contaminating maintenance staff is avail commercially. Filters should be placed in plastic bags immediately after removal ... The plastic bag should be sealed immediately ... The sealed bag should be labelled properly ... Waste liquids ... should be placed or collected in proper containers for disposal. The lid should be secured & the bottles properly labelled. Once filled, bottles should be placed in plastic bag, so that outer surface ... is not contaminated ... The plastic bag should also be sealed & labelled. ... Broken glassware ... should be decontaminated by solvent extraction, by chemical destruction, or in specially designed incinerators. /Chemical Carcinogens/

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/

For more Cleanup Methods (Complete) data for Aroclor 1254 (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

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 1254 (21 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Consult an expert! Personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

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 1254 (21 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Aroclor 1254 levels of 0.12-2.2 ppm (lipid basis) were detected in 54 samples of human milk collected in Hawaii in 1979-80(1). Mean Aroclor 1254 concentrations of 16 and 26 ppb were found in female and male plasma, respectively, of workers involved in capacitor manufacture(2). Mean Aroclor 1254 concentrations of 10 and 21 ppm were found in female and male adipose tissue, respectively, of workers involved in capacitor manufacture(2). EPA human monitoring program found PCB body pattern to be similar irrespective to source for non-occupationally exposed humans; PCB pattern resembled Aroclor 1260(3).

The relationships among serum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) concentration, serum lipids concentration, and adipose tissue PCBs concentration were studied in humans. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 173 capacitor workers with direct occupational exposure to Aroclor-1254 (11097-69-1), Aroclor-1242 (53469-21-9), and Aroclor-1260 (11096-82-5). Serum was analyzed for PCBs, albumin, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Serum PCBs ranged from 12 to 392 parts per billion (ppb) for Aroclor-1242 and 4 to 129 ppb for Aroclor 1254 and 1260. Serum concn of PCBs were significantly dependent on serum concn of lipids, but not of albumin. The apparent contribution of cholesterol and its esters to PCB transport was nearly equal to their contribution to the total serum neutral lipids present.

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)

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental contaminants that exist as complex mixtures in the environment, but the possible interactions of TCDD and PCBs have not been systematically investigated. The main objective of this study was to investigate the combined nephrotoxic effects of TCDD and PCBs on rats and to reveal the potential interactions between TCDD and PCBs. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were intragastrically administered TCDD (10 ug/kg), PCBs (Aroclor 1254, 10 mg/kg), or the combination (10 ug/kg TCDD + 10 mg/kg Aroclor 1254). After 12 consecutive days of exposure, all treatments induced nephrotoxicity, as evidenced by significant increases in the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, changes of kidney histopathology, and significant renal oxidative stress. Most of these effects were more remarkable in the combined-exposure group. Furthermore, all treatments induced renal cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) protein expression, and the induction was more conspicuous in the combined-exposure group. These findings suggested that the nephrotoxicity induced by TCDD and PCBs in the present study might be attributable to the high expression of CYP1A1. In addition, the result of the two-way analysis of variance revealed that the combined effects of TCDD and PCBs were complicated, being additive, synergistic, or antagonistic depending on the selection of toxicity end points under the present experimental condition.

Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were treated by oral gavage with either (1) corn oil (10 ml/kg), (2) Aroclor 1254 (244 mg/kg), (3) 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (20 ug/kg), (4) Aroclor 1254 (244 mg/kg) followed by TCDD (20 ug/kg), (5) dexamethasone (90 mg/kg), or (6) Aroclor 1254 (244 mg/kg) followed by dexamethasone (90 mg/kg) to study the antagonistic effects of Aroclor 1254 on TCDD. Aroclor 1254 alone was administered on day 9 of pregnancy; corn oil and TCDD were administered on day 10 and dexamethasone was given on day 13. For multiple administrations, Aroclor 1254 was given on day 9 and TCDD on day 10; Aroclor 1254 was given on day 12 and dexamethasone on day 13. All chemicals were administered in corn oil. Controls were either untreated or treated with corn oil. Each treatment group resulted in ten or more litters. The animals were sacrificed, fetal and maternal weights were recorded, and the number of resorptions and dead and live fetuses were counted. The percent live fetuses and resorptions per litter were not affected by treatments. The percentages of fetuses with hydronephrosis per litter were: untreated (1.3), corn oil (5.7), Aroclor 1254 (33.4), TCDD (87.8), Aroclor 1254 + TCDD (96.0), dexamethasone (3.2), and Aroclor 1254 + dexamethasone (3.7). Percentages of fetuses with cleft palate per litter were: untreated (1.3), corn oil (0.0), Aroclor 1254 (0.0), TCDD (61.8), Aroclor 1254 + TCDD (8.2), dexamethasone (69.9), and Aroclor 1254 + dexamethasone (85.8).

Procarbazine was weakly mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium G46 in host-mediated assay, but pretreatment of BALB/c mice orally with Aroclor 1254 (500 mg/kg 1 day prior to dosage with procarbazine) greatly enhanced the mutagenicity of procarbazine.

Exposure of rainbow trout to Aroclor 1254 substantially increased the ability of liver enzymes to convert benzo(a)pyrene into carcinogenic and mutagenic intermediates that bind to DNA. Environmental temp influenced both the initial hydrocarbon metabolism in fish and the time needed for effect of a chemical inducer to be evident.

For more Interactions (Complete) data for Aroclor 1254 (25 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Cancer, Dermal (Skin), Developmental (effects while organs are developing), Endocrine (Glands and Hormones), Hepatic (Liver), Immunological (Immune System), Neurological (Nervous System), Ocular (Eyes), Reproductive (Producing Children)

Dermal

Skin, eyes, liver, reproductive system

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 Mustela vison (mink) oral 4.0 mg/kg

EC50; Species: Crangon crangon (Brown shrimp), adult; Conditions: static, 15 °C; Concentration: > 10 mg/L for 48 hr /Clophen A50/

LC50; Species: Crangon crangon (Brown shrimp), adult; Conditions: static, 15 °C; Concentration: 3.3-10.0 mg/L for 48 hr /Clophen A50/

LD50 Mustela vison (mink) oral 6.7 mg/kg in diet for 9 mo

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for Aroclor 1254 (97 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Aroclor 1254 is a mixture of chlorinated biphenyls with the approximate distribution as follows: <0.1% di-, 1.8% tri-, 17.1% tetra-, 49.3% penta-, 27.8% hexa-, 3.9% hepta-, <0.05% octa-, and <0.05% nonachlorobiphenyl(1). Based on a classification scheme(2), log Koc values of 4.6(3) to 6.1(4), indicate that Aroclor 1254 is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of Aroclor 1254 from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 2.83X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(5). However, adsorption to soil is expected to attenuate volatilization(SRC). Aroclor 1254 is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 7.71X10-5 mm Hg at 25 °C(6). Screening tests indicate that Aroclor 1254 is resistant to aerobic biodegradation in soils based on results of a static-culture flask-screening procedure utilizing biological oxygen demand dilution water, settled domestic wastewater inoculum, 5-10 ppm Aroclor 1254 and 28 days of incubation resulted in 0% biodegradation(7). However under anaerobic conditions Aroclor 1254 was biodegraded 50% in 24 weeks at 30 °C in lake sediments; when surfactant was added to increase bioavailability 70% was degraded after 48 weeks(8).

AQUATIC FATE: Aroclor 1254 is a mixture of chlorinated biphenyls with the approximate distribution as follows: <0.1% di-, 1.8% tri-, 17.1% tetra-, 49.3% penta-, 27.8% hexa- , 3.9% hepta-, <0.05% octa-, and <0.05% nonachlorobiphenyl(1). Based on a classification scheme(2), log Koc values of 4.6(3) to 6.1(4), indicate that Aroclor 1254 is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(5) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 2.83X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(6). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(5), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 11 hours and 9 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 estimated volatilization half-life from a model pond is 2 years if adsorption is considered(7). According to a classification scheme(8), log BCFs of 3.96 (spot fish) to 5.66 (mullet)(9), suggests bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is very high(SRC). The higher chlorinated congeners in Aroclor 1254 are susceptible to reductive dechlorination by microorganisms found in aquatic environments(10,11). Aroclor 1254, incubated for 28 days at 25 °C in Center Hill Reservoir (TN) water had biodegradation rates of 6.8-47.7, 10.8-81.2, 18.8-71.2, 51-70.4, 42.4 and 37.3-69.8% in water samples taken Feb, Mar, April, June, August and Dec, 1977, respectively(10). Aroclor 1254 was biodegraded 50% in 24 weeks at 30 °C in lake sediments; when surfactant was added to increase bioavailability 70% was degraded after 48 weeks(11). Aquatic hydrolysis and oxidation are not important processes with respect to Aroclor 1254. PCB's are chemically very inert and are stable to conditions of hydrolysis and oxidation(9).

The results of Aroclor 1254 analyses of ready-to-eat foods collected in markets of a number of US cities conducted by the US FDA as part of the Total Diet Studies for adults have been reported as follows for recent fiscal years (no. of food composites, no. with positive detections, avg concentration of positives in ppm): 1978: (360,6,trace-0.05), 1977: (360,10,trace-0.05), 1976: (360,3,trace)(1-3). During the 1988 fiscal year, the FDA analyzed 13,980 food samples collected from 10 states in the U.S.(4). Aroclor 1254 was detected in 5 food samples (0.035% of total). Of these, 0 samples had concentrations greater than the tolerance level established by the EPA(4). Aroclor 1254 was not detected in any samples for the fiscal year of 1989. However, polychlorinated biphenyls were detected in 51 of the 13,085 food samples analyzed for the fiscal year of 1989(4). Winter flounder sampled from New Bedford Harbor, MA in Feb 1991 were deep fried, pan fried and broiled, deep fried flounder had the highest percent of PCB loss with little change in concentration with pan frying and broiling(5). In 1989-1994, the Food and Drug Administration found PCBs, including Aroclor 1221, 1248,and 1254, in 6 samples with trace amounts of 0.050 ppm in one of the 6 samples(6).

In the 1970s, high concentrations began to appear in dairy products and packaged foods due to a compound called Cumar. Cumar contained approximately 18% Aroclor 1254 and was the major source of PCB dairy product contamination as a result of its use to treat silos. Packaged foods were contaminated as a result of PCBs leaching or migrating from the paperboard boxes and liners manufactured from recycled paper, such as self-duplicating copy paper, containing PCBs(1).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol, through the skin and by ingestion.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Oral (L4) ; inhalation (L4) ; dermal (L4)

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).

Exposure to PCBs can occur: 1) from eating contaminated fish, 2) while repairing or maintaining old electrical transformers containing PCBs, and 3) after leakage from old fluorescent lighting fixtures and old appliances such as televisions or refrigerators. [ATSDR ToxFAQs] Also exposed are firefighters of capacitor and transformer fires. [ATSDR Case Studies, PCB Toxicity] Used in elastic polysulfide sealants in prefabricated houses built in Finland between 1959 and 1975, and workers removing sealants may be exposed; [Reference #2]

Production of PCBs in the U.S. was banned in 1977.

Firefighting [Category: Other]

Eating fish that lived in contaminated water [Category: Food & Drugs]

Formerly used in hydraulic fluid, rubber plasticizers, synthetic resin plasticizers, adhesives, wax extenders, dedusting agents, inks, cutting oils, pesticide extenders, sealants and caulking compounds

In routine screening program for in vitro assays, S-9 fractions are generally prepared from the livers of male rats which have been treated with nonspecific enzyme inducers such as phenobarbital or Aroclor 1254.

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 napthalenes have also been identified in Aroclor 1254.

The PCDF levels are (in ppm): Cl3, 0.063; Cl4, 0.1-0.2; Cl5, 0.2-0.4; Cl6, 0.9-1.4; Cl7, 0.96.

Toxic PCDF levels in ppm: 2,3,7,8-Cl4, 0.053; 1,2,3,4,8-/1,2,3,7,8,- TCDF, 0.9; 2,3,4,7,8-PECDF,0.49; 1,2,3,4,7,9-/1,2,3,4,7,8-HXCDF, 2.5; 1,2,3,6,7, 8-TCDF, 0.9; 2,3,4,7,8-HXCDF, 0.13.

Analysis of the technical PCB, Aroclor 1254 revealed the presence of a series of brominated contaminants.

Domestic sales in millions of pounds of Monsanto's Aroclor 1254 in the United States from 1957 to 1970 are as follows: 4.5 (1957); 6.7 (1958); 6.8 (1959); 6.1 (1960); 6.3 (1961); 6.3 (1962); 5.9 (1963); 6.3 (1964); 7.7 (1965); 7.0 (1966); 6.7 (1967); 8.9 (1968); 9.8 (1969); 12.4 (1970).

Total USA sales in 1970 amounted to 33.2 million kg of PCBs and comprised ... 5.6 million kg Aroclor 1254 ...

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; The approximate distribution of chlorinated biphenyls in Aroclor 1254 is: <0.1% di-, 1.8% tri-, 17.1% tetra-, 49.3% penta- , 27.8% hexa-, 3.9% hepta-, <0.05% octa-, and <0.05% nonachlorobiphenyl./

Composition: tetrachlorobiphenyls 11%, pentachlorobiphenyls 49%, hexachlorobiphenyls 34%, and heptachlorobiphenyls 6%.

PCB congener composition in wt %: <0.1%, biphenyl; Cl1, <0.1; Cl2, 0.5; Cl3, 1; Cl4, 21; Cl5, 48; Cl6, 23; Cl7, 6.

Average number of chlorine atoms = 4.96

Domestic USA production of polychlorinated biphenyl /including Aroclor 1254/ was stopped in October 1977.

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/

Askarels were often, but not always, a mixture of trichlorobenzenes with PCBs to achieve desired viscosities to permit handling the dielectric as an oily fluid. The capacitor askarels include neat Aroclors 1242, 1254, and 1016 and a mixture of 75% Aroclor 1254 and 25% trichlorobenzene. The most common transformer askarels were 60% Aroclor 1260/40% trichlorobenzene (Type A) and 70% Aroclor 1254/30% trichlorobenzene (Type D).