How toxic are PCBs?

PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects. They have been shown to cause cancer in animals as well as a number of serious non-cancer health effects in animals, including: effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other health effects.

What are PCBs and why are they harmful?

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are highly toxic industrial compounds. They pose serious health risks to fetuses, babies and children, who may suffer developmental and neurological problems from prolonged or repeated exposure to small amounts of PCBs. These chemicals are harmful to adults as well.

How do PCBs get into humans?

PCBs can enter the body by eating or drinking contaminated food, through the air we breathe, or by skin contact. PCBs are easily absorbed by the body and are stored in fatty tissue. PCBs are not eliminated well, so they can accumulate in the body.

How long do PCBs stay in the body?

Steele et al. estimated the half-life in humans for lower chlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1242) as 6-7 months and the corresponding half-life for the more highly chlorinated biphenyls as 33-34 months [Steele et al.

Can PCBs be removed from the body?

PCBs are easily absorbed by the body and are stored in fatty tissue. PCBs are not eliminated well, so they can accumulate in the body.

Are PCBs still used?

Even with discontinued use, PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are still present in the environment today because they do not breakdown quickly. The amount of time that it takes chemicals such as PCBs to breakdown naturally depends on their size, structure, and chemical composition.

Why was PCBs banned?

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are industrial products or chemicals. PCB chemicals were banned in the U.S. in 1979 because these chemicals harm human and environmental health. Wastes from the manufacturing process that contained PCBs were often placed in dump sites or landfills.

Are PCBs banned in the UK?

PCBs are universally banned in Europe and the US. In the UK, closed uses of PCBs in new equipment were banned in 1981, when nearly all UK PCB synthesis ceased, but closed uses in existing equipment containing in excess of 5 litres of PCBs were not stopped until December 2000.

How do I get rid of PCBs?

Treatment options are available to remove PCBs from well water. The most commonly used is called granular activated carbon filtration. Options include central treatment (at the well or entry to home) or a point-of-use device (kitchen sink filter).

What foods contain PCBs?

Small amounts are found in meat, dairy products and drinking water. Fish are the major dietary sources of PCBs , especially fish caught in contaminated lakes or rivers. Level of PCBs found in fish will vary with region and the type of fish native to that region.

Is PCB a plastic?

Once the resin hardens, PCB laminates are like a plastic composite, with sheets of copper foil on both sides.

Are PCBs still used today?

Even with discontinued use, PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are still present in the environment today because they do not breakdown quickly. It can take years to remove these chemicals from the environment and that is why they are still present decades after they have been banned.