chemical information
CAS RN:
1321-65-9
Chemical Class:
Polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN)
Chemical SubClass
Manufacturing/Use Status
use/production has been voluntarily discontinued in the U.S.
Found in these people:
Anonymous Adult 1, Cord Blood Sample 13
Found in these locations:
not found
Summary
There are 75 possible chemical variations of PCNs. They have been used as cable insulation, wood preservatives, engine oil additives, electroplating masking compounds, capacitors, and in dye production (EPA 1983). Products are generally mixtures of several different PCNs. The largest source of PCNs believed to be waste incineration and disposal of items containing PCNs, although other potential sources of PCNs to the environment include sewage discharge from municipal and industrial sites, leaching from hazardous waste sites. PCNs are also unwanted byproducts formed after the chlorination of drinking water (Kuehl et al. 1984b, Vogelgesang 1986, Furlong et al. 1988, Lin et al. 1984, Shiraishi et al. 1985). They have not been used commercially in significant quantities since the 1980s. PCNs are toxic and persistent. They bioaccumulate in people and are stored in fatty tissues. PCNs have not been tested for their ability to induce cancer. The toxic effects of many PCNs are thought to be similar to dioxin. In humans, severe skin reactions (chloracne) and liver disease have both been reported after occupational exposure to PCNs. Other symptoms found in workers include cirrhosis of the liver, irritation of the eyes, fatigue, headache, anaemia, haematuria, impotentia, anorexia, and nausea. At least 10 deaths were reported from liver toxicity. Workers exposed to PCNs also have a slightly higher risk of all cancers combined. (WHO 2001).
PCN-13
PCN-13 has been found in 2 of the 23 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies.
Top health concerns for PCN-13 (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | unknown |
Results for PCN-13
in blood serum (lipid weight)
Showing results from EWG Study #3, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults, Pollution in Minority Newborns, EWG/Commonweal Study #4, industrial chemicals and pesticides in cord blood
EWG/Commonweal results
- geometric mean: 0.014 ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum
- found in 2 of 23 people in the group
| ng/g (lipid weight) in blood serum | 0.0269 | |
   | ||
PCN-13 results
Detailed toxicity classifications (References)
| classification | governing entity/references |
| Gastrointestinal system toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed | Ward, E. M., Ruder, A.M., Suruda, A. (1994). Cancer mortality patterns among female and male workers employed in a cable manufacturing plant during World War II. J Occup Med 36: 7. |
