Health Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) and Polybrominated Biphenyloxide (PBBO)

摘要

In August, 1978, a comprehensive medical evaluation was conducted on 42 out of 96 workers from a plant that manufactured decabromobiphenyl and decabromobiphenyl oxide and on 96 control workers from neighborhood industry not involving PBB use. The exposed workers were employed in a plant which manufactured only brominated products, where 96 regular employees had been employed since January 1973. PBB serum level were significantly higher among the exposed group than among the non-exposed group. An unexpectedly high prevalence of primary hypothyroidism was found among the PBB workers. Their sural sensory and peroneal motor velocities were significantly reduced when contrasted with controls. However, no significant dermatological, neurological or other adverse health effects were clinically demonstrated.