Body Burden Reductions of PCBS, PBBs and Chlorinated Pesticides in Human Subjects

With human exposure to environmental contaminants inevitable despite the best application of environmental laws and protection technologies, interest has grown in the potential to reduce the levels of contamination carried in the human host. This study demonstrates the promise of a comprehensive treatment for reduction of body burdens of polychlorinated and polybrominated biphenyis (PCB and PBB) and chlorinated pesticides. Adipose tissue concentrations were determined for seven individuals accidentally exposed to PBB. These patients underwent the detoxification treatment developed by Hubbard to eliminate fat-stored foreign compounds. Of the 16 organohalides examined, 13 were present in lower concentrations at post-treatment sampling. Seven of the 13 reductions were statistically significant; reductions ranged from 3.5 to 47.2 percent, with a mean reduction among the 16 chemicals of 21.3 percent (s.d. 17.1 percent). To determine whether reductions reflected movement to other body compartments or actual burden reduction, a post-treatment follow-up sample was taken four months later. Follow-up analysis showed a reduction in all 16 chemicals averaging 42.4 percent (s.d. 17.1 percent) and ranging from 10.1 to 65.9 percent. Ten of the 16 reductions were statistically significant. Future research stemming from this study should include further investigation of mobilization and excretion of xenobiotics in humans.