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The Michigan PBB Registry
Community Discussion
Sharing Research Findings
Seeking Input from PBB Registry Participants
Michigan PBB Registry
• Family History Table
– Indicate who worked at the Chemical Plant or
was otherwise exposed
– Then list their children and grandchildren
• If you are waiting to participate
– A volunteer will be holding up index card with
number
• At the Transfer of Records Table you will get
your PBB ID or use the Lab ID in your folder
MgO
PBB
Nutrimaster
Firemaster
MgO
PBB
Nutrimaster
Firemaster
Timeline
• July 1973-May 1974
– Michigan residents ate dairy, beef, and
poultry products that had been contaminated with
PBBs
• 1976-1979
– Creation of the PBB Registry (MI long-term PBB study)
– Measurement of PBB in blood
– Health questionnaires
• 1980
– PBB no longer produced in the United States
PBB Registry
Long-Term PBB Study
• About 5,000 individuals
• People who ate contaminated food
– Farm families
– Michigan residents
• Chemical company workers
• Children of people who ate contaminated
food; children of chemical workers
PBB Characteristics
• Exposure – contaminated food, inhalation,
skin absorption
• Stored in body fat
• Remain in the body for many years
– After 15 years, about half of the PBB has been
eliminated from the body
• Can mimic or block natural hormones
• Can be transferred from mother to child in
the womb or through breast milk
How is PBB Exposure Measured?
• Blood is collected
• Serum is extracted
• Internal standard and acid
added
• Extract twice with solvent
• Remove fats
• Concentrate volume
Risk of Developing Disease
Risk varies among individuals
• Genetics
• Diet, Exercise
• Occupation
• Environmental Exposures
PBB Registry Research
• Compare the health of people with
high vs. low PBB exposure
– The low exposure group includes about 1,000 people
with no PBB detected in their blood.
– Even if PBB was not detected in blood, people may have
PBB in their fat tissue
• Compare the health of everyone in the PBB Registry
to the general population.
• Periodic surveys to collect information
on health
• Some research on specific subgroups
(e.g. chemical workers, women, daughters or sons)
Health Effects Noted Soon After
the PBB Incident
•
•
•
•
•
Skin rashes
Hair loss
Memory problems
Muscle and joint problems
Slight differences in immune system and
liver function
Research Findings
MI Chemical Workers
• Higher PBB concentration in serum and fat
compared to family members
• Higher rates of skin symptoms compared to
farmers
• High rates of hypothyroidism than general
population
• Sperm count and motility similar to general
population
Research Findings
Farm Families
Those who ate contaminated food
• Men who ate contaminated food
– Thyroid problems
• Women who ate contaminated food
– Possible changes to menstrual periods
– Lower estrogen levels
– A few more cases of breast cancer
than expected
– No increase in endometriosis, infertility or
miscarriages
Research Findings
Children Born After 1973, to Women Who
Ate Contaminated Food
• PBB can be transferred to children while in
the womb or through breast milk
• Children born many years later can still be
exposed
• Children are more vulnerable to toxic
chemicals than adults
Research Findings
Daughters Born After 1973, to Women
Who Ate Contaminated Food
• Earlier maturation - First menstrual period
at 11.5 years compared to 12.5 years
• Shorter stature
• As adults - more miscarriages
Miscarriages Among Daughters
30%
25%
20%
Low
15%
Medium
High
10%
5%
0%
Mother's Exposure Level
Research Findings
Among Sons Born After 1973, to Women
Who Ate Contaminated Food
• More genital conditions (hypospadias)
than the general population
• Sons of highly exposed women were more
likely to have problems with the urinary or
genital system
• Sons of highly exposed women had slower
growth in childhood
Research Findings
Important Points
• PBB appears to be acting as an “endocrine
disrupter”
– Thyroid
– Reproductive system
• Children of exposed parents may be
affected
Chemical Workers
• Bring chemical workers back into PBB
registry – transfer records from MDCH
• Blood testing for PBB, PBDE, PCB, DDT,
DDE, HBB
• General Health Questionnaire
• What are your concerns?
PBB Levels, St. Louis
PBB Levels, Consumers of
contaminated food
PBB Levels, 1976-1978
Women’s Health
Aged 18 - 57
• Reproductive Health questionnaire (online)
• Measure PBB and other chemicals in blood
• Menstrual cycle calendar
• Measure hormones in urine
Women’s
Hormone
Patterns
Men’s Health
• Health questionnaire
• Measure PBB, PCBs, DDT, DDE, HBB and PBDE
in blood
• Hormones in urine
• Semen collection at home
Sperm Assessment
• Sperm count
• Sperm velocity
• Sperm size and shape
• Sperm viability
Why Participate?
• Contribution to science, public health and
your neighbors
• Information about your chemical exposure
• Your hormone levels
• Information about your menstrual cycles (for
women)
• Semen analysis (for men)
– Physical exam
• Compensation (up to $200)
Additional Ongoing Research
• Study causes of death for PBB Registry
participants (now including chemical
workers)
• Continue to study cancer occurrence
• Study additional concerns suggested
by you
We Need Your Help
• What are your concerns?
• Michigan Health Department can
no longer maintain the registry
For Questions or for More
Information Please Contact us!
PBB Registry Study Phone: 1-888-892-0074
E-mail: www.pbbregistry@emory.edu
Website : www.pbbregistry.emory.edu
Funding provided by
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
US Environmental Protection Agency
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Small Group Discussions
Seeking Input from
PBB Registry Study Participants
Why community engagement?
• The research needs to be relevant to
those who experienced exposure to PBB
and other chemicals.
Your concerns help guide future research.
PBB Citizens Advisory Board
PBB Citizens Advisory Board
– Resource for registry members
– Assist researchers in reaching out to PBB
community
– Work with the researchers to plan research
that is responsive to the PBB community needs
and interests.
Group Discussion
How this will work…
• Small Group Discussion
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–
–
–
Move chairs into small groups
Facilitator for each group
Each person is allotted at least 1 minute of input
Facilitator records each person’s comments without names
or other identifying information
– Facilitator notifies each person of time limit
– Second round, anyone may add additional thoughts
• Large Group Share
– Reporters summarize major points and suggestions from
their table
Discussion
Topics:
• Describe your continued concerns related to
PBB and other chemical exposures.
• What kind of information would be helpful
regarding chemical exposures?
Format:
• Each person allotted 1 minute for input.
• Then, any person may add additional
comments until end of the discussion.
Small Group Discussions