title: Strategies and techniques for sample collection and analysis: experience from the Swedish PCB accidents.
abstract: A series of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) fires and explosion in PCB-filled capacitors and transformers is discussed. A sampling program followed by isomer specific determination of trace levels of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) is described. Data from a series of Swedish PCB accidents are given. In addition to PCDFs and PCDDs, we have also found a series of polychlorinated biphenylenes (PCBPs). Cleaning of contaminated areas was done by vacuum cleaning followed by high pressure washing.
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004560:Electricity; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005107:Explosions; D005387:Finland; D005390:Fires; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D009518:New York; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls