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Polychlorinated biphenyl (aroclor 1242)

RTECS #
TQ1356000
CAS #
53469-21-9; 11104-29-3
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
March 2018
Molecular Weight
N/R
Molecular Formula
N/R
Synonyms
Arochlor 1242
Aroclor 1242
Chlorierte biphenyle, chlorgehalt 42% (German)
Chlorodiphenyl (42% chlorine)
Chlorodiphenyl (42% chlorine) (ACGIH,OSHA)
Chlorodiphenyl (42% Cl)
Clophen 42
Clorodifenili, cloro 42% (Italian)
Diphenyle chlore, 42% de chlore (French)
Gechloreerdedifenyl (Dutch)
PCB (OSHA)

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
other mutation test systemsother cell types/mouse25 ppm/4HEESADV 3,10,1979

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/rat 945 mg/kg (36W prior to copulation)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Endocrine: Estrogenic
AECTCV 3,479,1975/1976
oral/rat 1890 mg/kg (36W prior to copulation)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Female fertility index (e.g., # females pregnant per # sperm positive females; # females pregnant per # females mated)AECTCV 3,479,1975/1976
oral/rat 1250 mg/kg (5D male)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)FCTXAV 13,507,1975
oral/pig 93 mg/kg (1-16W pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Live birth index (Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured after birth)AJVRAH 36,23,1975
oral/mammal (species unspecified) 188 mg/kg (17W pre-28D after birth)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Other measures of fertilityAECTCV 9,627,1980
oral/mouse 3300 mg/kg (14D pre-21D after birth)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Stillbirth

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Live birth index (Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured after birth)
REPTED 15,281,2001
oral/mouse 825 mg/kg (14D pre-21D after birth)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Urogenital systemREPTED 15,281,2001
subcutaneous/mouse 300 mg/kg (14D prior to copulation)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Immune and reticuloendothelial system

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Biochemical and metabolic

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Other postnatal measures or effects
AECTCV 44,72,2003

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 10 mg/m3Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Liver: Other changes
85CYAB 2,153,1959
intraperitoneal/mammal (species unspecified) lethal dose (50 percent kill): >1 gm/kgAECTCV 6,279,1977
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 160 mg/kgReproductive: Maternal effects: Uterus, cervix, vaginaRCOCB8 9,85,1974
oral/mammal (species unspecified) lethal dose (50 percent kill): >3 gm/kgAECTCV 6,279,1977
oral/rat lowest published lethal dose: 2500 mg/kgNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainBECTA6 13,14,1975
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 5000 mg/kgReproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)BECTA6 13,14,1975
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4250 mg/kgEye: Chromodacryorrhea

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
TXAPA9 24,434,1973
skin/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 1269 mg/kgARVPAX 14,139,1974
subcutaneous/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 345 mg/kgLiver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes

Blood: Changes in spleen
PHRPA6 59,1085,1944
subcutaneous/rat lowest published toxic dose: 190 mg/kgEndocrine: EstrogenicJAFCAU 18,1108,1970

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
intramuscular/domestic animal lowest published toxic dose: 5 mg/kg/20D- intermittentLiver: Other changesJEPOEC 12,17,1993
intramuscular/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 25 mg/kg/20D- intermittentLiver: Other changesJEPOEC 12,17,1993
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 400 mg/kg/2D- intermittentEndocrine: Evidence of thyroid hypofunction

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Hepatic microsomal mixed oxidase (dealkylation, hydroxylation, etc.)

Related to Chronic Data: Changes in uterine weight
BECTA6 53,583,1994
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 120 mg/kg/5D- intermittentLiver: Other changes

Liver: Changes in liver weight

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Hepatic microsomal mixed oxidase (dealkylation, hydroxylation, etc.)
EVHPAZ 102,568,1994
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 120 mg/kg/2D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Hepatic microsomal mixed oxidase (dealkylation, hydroxylation, etc.)
EVHPAZ 102,568,1994
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 175 mg/kg/7D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Phosphatases
TXAPA9 48,185,1979
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1600 mg/kg/10W- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count
TXAPA9 28,189,1974
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 120 mg/kg/2D- intermittentRelated to Chronic Data: Changes in uterine weightEVHPAZ 102,568,1994
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 120 mg/kg/3D- intermittentRelated to Chronic Data: Changes in uterine weightEVHPAZ 102,568,1994
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 120 mg/kg/5D- intermittentRelated to Chronic Data: Changes in uterine weightEVHPAZ 102,568,1994
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 48 mg/kg/2D- intermittentEndocrine: Evidence of thyroid hypofunctionJTEHD6 51,503,1997
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 72 mg/kg/3D- intermittentEndocrine: Evidence of thyroid hypofunctionJTEHD6 51,503,1997
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 120 mg/kg/5D- intermittentEndocrine: Evidence of thyroid hypofunctionJTEHD6 51,503,1997
oral/monkey lowest published toxic dose: 75600 µg/kg/27W- continuousGastrointestinal: Other changes

Blood: Changes in cell count (unspecified)

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
LAINAW 40,373,1979
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 825 mg/kg/66D- intermittentEndocrine: Changes in thymus weightREPTED 15,281,2001
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 1650 mg/kg/66D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainREPTED 15,281,2001
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 75600 µg/kg/18W- continuousBlood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Plasma proteins not involving coagulation
EVHPAZ 39,79,1981
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 842 mg/kg/6W- continuousImmunological Including Allergic: Decrease in humoral immune responseDCTODJ 2,111,1979
oral/quail lowest published toxic dose: 12200 mg/kg/61D- continuousLiver: Other changes

Liver: Changes in liver weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Conditioned vitamin deficiency
BECTA6 9,179,1973
oral/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 4200 mg/kg/14W- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases
AJPAA4 70,363,1973
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 224 mg/kg/7D- intermittentEndocrine: Other changesTOXID9 60,380,2001
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 455 mg/kg/13W- continuousBehavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)TOSCF2 53,377,2000
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1890 mg/kg/36W- continuousLiver: Hepatitis (hepatocellular necrosis), zonalAECTCV 10,171,1981
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 366 mg/kg/61D- continuousLiver: Other changes

Liver: Changes in liver weight

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport
BECTA6 9,179,1973
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 2100 mg/kg/21D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Hepatic microsomal mixed oxidase (dealkylation, hydroxylation, etc.)
BECTA6 13,456,1975
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 5460 mg/kg/26W- continuousKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Porphyrin including bile pigments
TXAPA9 32,461,1975
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 2790 mg/kg/372D- continuousNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainTOSCF2 53,377,2000
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 967.2 mg/kg/372D- continuousBehavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)TOSCF2 53,377,2000
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 682.5 mg/kg/91D- continuousBehavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)TOSCF2 53,377,2000
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 2000 mg/kg/4D- intermittentReproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
BECTA6 13,14,1975
subcutaneous/domestic animal lowest published toxic dose: 20 mg/kg/20D- intermittentImmunological Including Allergic: Decrease in humoral immune response

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
JEPOEC 9,283,1989
subcutaneous/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 25 mg/kg/20D- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes

Blood: Changes in spleen

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins
JEPOEC 9,283,1989

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 1 mg/m3 (skin)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Limited EvidenceIMEMDT 18,43,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWEVHPAZ 1,105,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWARVPAX 14,139,1974
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWRREVAH 44,1,1973
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWSTEVA8 2,305,1974
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWBISNAS 20,958,1970
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENVRAL 5,249,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTIHEEC 16,305,2000
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWITODC* -,327,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNRTXDN 33,178,2012

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 1 mg/m3 (skin)DTLVS* 3,51,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 2 mg/m3, Carcinogen, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.1 ppm (1 mg/m3);KZW 1 ppm (10 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 1 mg/m3, Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 1 mg/m3, Skin, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 0.1 ppm (1.1 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 2 mg/m3, skin, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 1 mg/m3;short term exposure limit 2 mg/m3 (skin), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0.1 ppm (1 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 1 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.01 mg/m3;short term exposure limit 0.03 mg/m3, Carcinogen, Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.1 ppm (1 mg/m3), KZG-week 0.8 ppm (8 mg/m3), carc 3, skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 1 mg/m3, Skin, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 1 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 1 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 1 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 1 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 1 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS-air10H Carcinogen time-weighted average 0.001 mg/m3NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code X1183; Number of Industries 3; Total Number of Facilities 58; Number of Occupations 5; Total Number of Employees Exposed 2214; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 285

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/2000/108027)
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: Cytogenetics-male germ cell; Rodent dominant lethal
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Polychlorobiphenyls, 5503; in serum, 8004
NIOSH CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 7, 1976 AND BULLETIN 45, 1986
NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens,2016:Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018