Long-Term Effects of Dredging Operations Program: Preliminary Recommendations for a Congener-Specific PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl) Analysis in Regulatory Evaluation of Dredged Material

Abstract

A preliminary recommendation of priority polychlorinated biphenyl ( PCB) congeners for congener-specific analysis is offered for use in the regulatory evaluation of dredged material. Potential toxicity, environmental prevalence, and relative abundance in animal tissues are the criteria used in the selection of specific congeners and their assignment to four priority groups. Potential toxicity is equated to mammalian microsomal mixed-function oxidase (MFO) induction activity and type. MC- (3-methylcholanthrene-) type and mixed-type induction activities are considered potentially most toxic, followed by PB- (phenobarbital-) type induction activity. Weak inducers and non-inducing congeners have the least potential for toxicity. Environmental prevalence, i.e., frequency of occurrence of specific congeners in environmental samples, is determined from the literature. Relative abundances of congeners (percents of total PCB as the sum of all congener concentrations) in tissues are reported or calculated from data in the literature, along with data generated from an experiment conducted at the US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Biphenyls, Phenyl compounds, Chlorine compounds.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA206661

Entities

People

  • Brian D. Pierce
  • Joan U. Clarke
  • Victor A. Mcfarland

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Body Weight
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • Environmental Health
  • Environmental Protection
  • Eutrophication
  • Fish
  • Habitats
  • Metabolism
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • Toxicity
  • Wildlife

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology