Information Regarding Pentachlorophenol and Paint

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~RLQmvN:1
PENTACHLOROPHENOL
CASRN: 87-86-5

Human Toxicity Excerpts :

Three case reports of skin lesions associated with exposure to pentachlorophenol in wood preservatives were described. Since pentachlorophenol and its sodium salt are commonly used in wood preservatives, paints, and disinfectants due to their fungicidal, insecticidal, bactericidal, herbicidal, and molluscicidal properties, exposure can occur in both occupational and non-occupational settings. The cases described involved two males and one female, all of whom were caucasian. Serum pentachlorophenol levels were measured in each individual. In non-exposed individuals, normal levels did not exceed 15 ug/l. The first case was that of a 41 year old man diagonosed as having pemphigus vulgaris. Exposure was attributed to a bookcase which had been treated with pentachlorophenol. Serum levels of pentachlorophenol varied from 10 to 47 ug/l in this patient, and clinical improvement was associated with decreased serum levels. A 28 year old female also diagnosed as having pemphigus vulgaris. Exposure in this case was ascribed to rafters in her home which had been treated with pentachlorophenol. Serum pentachlorophenol levels ranged from 10.8 to 114 ug/l, and also tended to decline with periods of clinical improvement. The third case was that of a 35 year old male who suffered from urticaria. Exosure in this case occurred when the patient had treated wood framework. Serum pentachlorophenol levels varied from 20.9 to 96 ug/1 in this individual. The role of pentachlorophenol in the pathogenesis of these cases is not understood. The ... possible mechanisms could include direct toxic effects, photoreactivity, or induced changes in epidermal immunology.
[Lambert J et al; Acta Dermato-Venerolog 66 (2): 170-2 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Artificial Pollution Sources :

PENTACHLOROPHENOL HAS BEEN DETECTED IN 9/65 COMMERCIAL SAMPLES OF PAINTS USED ON CHILDREN'S TOYS AT LEVELS OF 100 TO 2700 MG/KG; & IN WOOD-SHAVING LITTER FROM CHICKEN HOUSES AT LEVELS OF 0.6 TO 83 MG/KG (FRESH) & 0 TO 4.1 MG/KG (AFTER 8 WK).
[IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work).V20 309 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Effluent Concentrations :

Oregon cities sewage treatment plant effluent 1-4 ppb(1). Detected in the effluents of the following industries (industry - max concn, ppb): auto and other laundries - 27, coal mining - 3, iron and steel manufacturing - 25, leather tanning and finishing - 3100, electrical/electronic components - 10, foundries - 140, photographic equipment/supplies - 350, pharmaceutical manufacturing - 110, paint and ink formulation - 490, pulp and paperboard mills - 1400, rubber processing - 10, steam electric power plants - 6.5, textile mills - 15, timber products processing - 8300(2). 4.6 ppb mean concn reported for organic manufacturing/plastics(2). Waste from a municipal compositions facility on Long Island, NY has a concentration range of 7-210 ppb(3). Effluent from a pulp and paper bleach plant, aerated lagoon, and treated effluent discharging into a river on site contained concentrations of pentachlorophenol of 3.1, 1.3 and 0.6 ppb, respectively(4). Primary-treated and municipal wastewater from the Iona Island treatment plant in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada contained pentachlorophenol concentrations ranging from 0.4-13.2 ppb(5).
[(1) Bukler DR et al; Environ Sci Technol 7: 929-34 (1973) (2) USEPA: Treatability Manual 1:8.5.1-8.5.5 USEPA-600/2-82-001a (1981) (3) Harnad SJ et al; Chemosphere 23: 181-91 (1991) (4) Lee HB et al; J Assoc Off Anal Chem 72: 979-84 (1989) (5) Rogers IH et al; Water Poll Res J Canada 12: 187-204 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Other Environmental Concentrations :

One of three new cotton T-shirt samples, tested for the presence of pentachlorophenol, contained this compound at 2000 ng/g (detection limit=10 ng/g)(1). Mean concns of pentachlorophenol in samples from nine homes were reported as 0.48 ug/sq m, 0.03 ug/sq m, 0.02 ug/sq m, 0.02 ug, 0.05 ug/cu m, 0.03 ug/g, 0.02 ug/g, and 0.02 ug/g for house dust, PUF roller (carpet dust), investigator hand, child hand rinse, air, entryway soil, walkway soil, and play area soil, respectively(2). Pentachlorophenol was measured in raw wood (3 of 15 samples positive; 0.25 mg/kg max), wood packings and pallets (3 of 39 samples positive; 0.90 mg/kg max), interior decoration (21 of 30 samples positive; 11.6 mg/kg max), beams (4 of 22 samples positive; 0.32 mg/kg max), windows (64 of 68 samples positive; 163.3 mg/kg max), fences and stakes (13 of 14 samples positive; 0.70 mg/kg max), cable-drums (4 of 10 samples positive; 1.32 mg/kg max), and recycling chips (8 of 9 samples positive; 4.43 mg/kg max)(3). 9 of 65 paints used in children's toys(1); wood-shaving litter from a chicken house(4).
[(1) Horstmann M, McLachlan MS; Chemosphere 31: 2579-89 (1995) (2) Lewis RG et al; Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 26: 37-46 (1994) (3) Pohlandt K et al; Chemosphere 31: 4025-31 (1995) (4) IARC; Some Halogenated Hydrocarbons 20: 308 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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