Polybrominated biphenyl Michigan incident

The principal source of pollution by polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) has been the commercial mixture Firemaster, which was produced in the United States between 1970 and 1974. Production was discontinued in 1974 following a severe pollution incident in Michigan, when Firemaster was accidentally mixed with cattle feed on a farm. In due course, PBBs entered the human food chain via contaminated animal products. Substantial residues were found in humans from the area, and were snbse-quently found to be highly persistent. 

Polybrominated Biphenyls. The production of PBBs in the United States ceased in 1979 (lARC 1986). In the past, PBBs were released to the environment during the manufacture of these compounds and disposal of commercial and consumer products containing these compounds (Hesse and Powers 1978 Neufeld et al. 1977). One of the significant sources of environmental contamination occurred as a result of the accidental mixup ofFireMaster BP-6 with cattle food in a number of farms in the lower peninsula in Michigan (see Section 3.2 for additional details concerning this incident). By June 1975, 412 farms had been quarantined. Disposal of contaminated feed, animal carcasses (poultry, cattle, swine), and... 

Polybrominated Biphenyls. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and three other federal agencies, began a major study to assess the health effects of PBBs after the Michigtm contamination episode. A health questionnaire and blood samples were collected from people affected by the feed contamination incident. MDCH had the responsibility to analyze several thousand samples for PBB from 1975 to 1978. MDCH continues contact with this cohort, updates health questionnaires, and collects blood samples to be analyzed (MDCH 2002). 

Chanda JJ, Anderson HA, Glamb RW, et al. 1982. Cutaneous effects of exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) The Michigan PBB incident. Environ Res 29 97-108. 

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