Studies on a Calculation Method for Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Isomers

Abstract

For the quantitative analysis of the environmental contamination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the authors reported several methods, i. e. gas chromatographic (GC) pattern method, comparative relative response method, GC-MCD (microcoulometric detector) and mass fragmentography methods. By means of conventional GC separation (OV-1, 2mm×1.5m column) we separated approx. only 25 peaks, in which more than two components were suspected to be contained. So this makes it difficult to qualify the residue of PCBs biodegradated in the environment. Recently Jensen et al. reported more effective GC column separation by the use of 5m Apiezon (purified) column and identified each peak to synthesized reference substances (almost 60 components) of PCB isomers. It was certified that there was no difference in patterns between Clophen series and Japanese Kaneclors by GC analysis. Applying this technique for Japanese products (KC300-600), the authors determined chlorine numbers by GC-MS analysis and chlorobiphenyl contents (%) in each peak by means of comparative relative response method. From these data, we clarified the difference of PCB components in blood between a healthy man and a Yusho patient. It is uncleared yet whether it depends on PCB itself or polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF). The application of this calculation method makes it possible not only to measure the absolute quantity of individual peaks, but also to elucidate the mobility of PCBs in the animal tissue.