부산대학교 도서관

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.01.010 Byline: Eero Priha (a), Sannamari Hellman (b), Jaana Sorvari (c) Keywords: Aroclor; Contaminated soil; Exposure; PCB; Risk assessment; Sealant Abstract: From the late 1950s to the early 1970s elastic polysulphide sealants were used in outdoor seams between concrete blocks in prefabricated buildings. The sealants contained 5-30% polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Due to the weathering of sealants in general and the replacement of seams with new PCB-free materials in the 1990s, PCBs have drifted to the soil adjacent to buildings. The objectives of this study were to survey PCB contamination in the surroundings of former PCB-containing buildings and to evaluate the risks to human health. Samples from soil, and also from blood serum of residents, were collected to obtain data for exposure assessment. The health risk assessment was based on deterministic and probabilistic calculations for cancer and non-cancer risks. Soil ingestion and dermal contact were considered the main routes of exposure and children the most important exposed group. The mean total PCB concentration was 6.83mg/kg within 2m of the buildings and 0.52mg/kg within 3-10m from of the buildings. The deterministic risk assessment with conservative parameters resulted in lifetime cancer risk estimates on the order of 10.sup.-6-10.sup.-7. The lifetime average daily dose (LADD) for PCBs was less than 10% of the reference dose (RfD) 0.02[mu]g/kgday, which is based on immunosupression in monkeys. The LADD corresponding to the total site attributable exposure was less than 10% of the estimated average dietary PCB intake in Finland. Children can, however, in worst cases be exposed to daily doses near the level of the RfD. Low cost measures are recommended to reduce possible exposure of children. Author Affiliation: (a) Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 486, FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland (b) Tampere University of Technology, Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Tampere, Finland (c) Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland Article History: Received 23 June 2004; Revised 22 December 2004; Accepted 14 January 2005