Insufficient conjugate glucuronidation activity: a possible factor in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) toxicity.

Considerable evidence indicates that phenolic and biphenolic compounds are detoxified and excreted primarily via conjugate glucuronidation in man. Since fetuses, neonates and certain enzyme deficient adults have significant functional deficiencies in their capacities to excrete toxic compounds via conjugate glucuronidation, it is predicted that these groups of individuals are biochemically predisposed to accumulate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), a widely distributed and highly toxic environmental contaminant.