Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) in the blood of mammals and birds from Japan: Lower chlorinated OH-PCBs and profiles

An analytical method was developed to measure tri- to octa-chlorinated OH-PCBs and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the whole blood. Further, baseline data on the levels and profiles of these phenolic compounds in Japanese mammals (human, cat, dog, raccoon dog, and northern fur seal) and birds (black-tailed gull, common cormorant, and jungle crow) were obtained. Eighteen identifiable and fifty unknown peaks of OH-PCBs were detected and the major congeners identified were 4′OH-CB101/120, 4OH-CB107/4′OH-CB108, 4OH-CB146, 4OH-CB178, 4OH-CB187, 4′OH-CB172, 4OH-CB202, and 4′OH-CB199. Relatively higher concentrations of OH-PCBs were found in animal species than humans; OH-PCB levels in dog, raccoon dog, black-tailed gull, and common cormorant blood were one order of magnitude higher than in humans. Penta- to hepta-chlorinated OH-PCB congeners were predominant in human blood, but profiles of OH-PCBs in other animals widely varied by species. Elevated composition of tri- and tetra-chlorinated OH-PCBs in cat blood and octa-chlorinated OH-PCBs in dog and raccoon dog blood were observed. In cat blood, elevated PCP concentration was also found. When concentration ratios of OH-PCBs to PCBs were calculated in all the animal blood, the ratios in dog, raccoon dog, and cat were notably higher than in other species. These results indicate that animals other than humans, especially cat and canine species such as dog and raccoon dog, might be at risk from OH-PCBs.