Non-occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol: clinical findings and plasma-PCP-concentrations in three families.

1 The clinical findings are reported of 15 members of three families living in houses where relatively large amounts of pentachlorophenol (PCP) solutions had been applied. To be able to interpret the plasma concentrations in the patients, plasma-PCP-concentrations in 99 draftees were measured. The clinical and toxicological-analytical results are discussed. 2 Signs of a systemic PCP-intoxication were not found in any patient. 3 Symptoms and objective changes of the uncovered skin were present in three patients (a burning painful sensation, erythema, dryness and scaling) possibly caused by a direct influence of PCP in the air. 4 The plasma-PCP-concentrations in the patients ranged from 25-660 micrograms 1(-1). The mean plasma-PCP-concentrations in the draftees was 128.6 +/- 134.9 micrograms 1(-1) (mean +/- s.d.); the median was 88 micrograms 1(-1), the 95% range was 330 micrograms 1(-1). 5 There was an association between patients' plasma-PCP-concentrations and their staying in the affected house.