Abstract |
On the basis of the relative retention times and response factors of all 209 synthetic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the paper reports the first congener-specific analysis of a commercial PCB preparation, Aroclor 1260, and the PCB composition of a human milk extract. The analysis indicates that Aroclor 1260 contains nearly 80 different PCB congeners with the major components identified as 2,2',3,3',4,5,6-,2,2', 4,4',5,5'-, 2,2',3,4,5,5'-, and 2,2',3,4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl and 2,2',3,3',4,4',5-, 2,2',3,3', 4,5,6'-, 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-, and 2,2',3,4',5,5',6-heptachlorobiphenyl. In contrast, the major PCB components of the human milk fraction were the 2,4,4'-tri-, 2,4,4',5-tetra-, 2,2',4,4',5-penta-, 2,3',4,4',5-penta, 2,2',3,4,4',5'-hexa-, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexa, 2,2',3,3',4,4',5-hepta, and 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyls. The significance of congener-specific PCB analysis is discussed in terms of the structure-activity effects on PCB persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. (Copyright (c) 1985 American Chemical Society.) |