Exposure to pentachlorophenol near a wood treatment plant

Abstract

Exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) near a wood treatment plant was investigated by collecting urine samples from residents (n=31), following air sampling. PCP was elevated in air and in urine following odor complaints. Airborne levels (8-hr maximum of 29 μg/m3) were higher than background ones (<1.3 μg/m3). Women more frequently had detectable urine PCP and had higher urine PCP than the US general population; men infrequently had detectable urine PCP and were not statistically different from the US general population. Approximately 22% (95% CI: 6.41–47, 64%) of the women had urine PCP levels that were above the 95th percentile of US women. Moreover, the 75th percentile concentration of community women averaged 4.7 times higher than the 75th percentile concentration of US women. In all households where at least one partner had detectable levels, women had higher PCP levels than men.