title: Problems associated with interferences in the analysis of serum for polychlorinated biphenyls.
abstract: During a recent survey to determine serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) among people living around New Bedford, MA, U.S.A., an unidentified contaminant precluded the quantification of some early eluting Webb and McCall peaks. Loss of data is estimated to have reduced reported serum levels by 12%. Efforts to identify the contaminant by gas chromatography with an electron-capture detector, a Hall electrolytic condutivity detector, and mass spectrometer were not successful. Researchers ascertained, however, that the contaminant is not a PCB, it does not contain halogens, but it may contain phthalates. Vacutainer tubes and closures for serum storage bottles are suspected sources of contamination.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Health Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Burse
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Korver
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Holler
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fast
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Head
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nassif
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Timperi
mesh_terms: D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood*; D011786:Quality Control
chemical_list: D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls