Description

PCBs are a group of nonflammable, stable, organochlorine compounds (a mixture that includes up to 209 related compounds). PCBs were once widely used as coolants and lubricants in flame retardants, hydraulic fluids, transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment, liquid seals, paint, varnish, inks and pesticides. The U.S. government banned the production of PCBs in 1977, but PCBs continue to be released into the environment from hazardous waste sites, illegal or improper dumping, and leaks from or burning of old electrical transformers, fluorescent tubes, and other PCB-containing equipment. PCBs are considered persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which tend to remain the environment and animals for long periods of time and can travel long distances. PCBs have been detected in human tissue and breast milk throughout the world. Children may be exposed to PCBs by eating contaminated fish or by coming into contact with soil or water contaminated near hazardous waste sites. PCBs cross the placenta to expose developing babies in the womb. PCBs may be contaminated with polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is Slightly Toxic
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is Very Highly Toxic
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

This chemical is likely to cause cancer.
Neurotoxin = Can harm brain and central nervous system
Suspected Endocrine Disruptor = May interfere with, mimic or block hormones
Development Toxicant = Can interfere with normal development of a fetus or child

Other

Acne, skin rashes, eye irritation, joint pain. Porphyria, a disorder caused by a change in the amount of nitrogen-containing substances in the blood, leading to abdominal pain, skin lesions, light sensitivity, anemia, and neurological changes.
Developmental effects have been observed in children born to women exposed to high levels of PCBs in the workplace or who consumed large amounts of PCB-contaminated fish. These effects include decreased birth weight, decreased intelligence and abnormal effects on infant behavior. Some of these behaviors, such as problems with motor skills and a decrease in short-term memory, lasted for several years. Attention deficit disorders, hyperactivity, and behavioral problems may also be linked to PCB exposure.
Studies in adults exposed to large amounts of PCBs have found deficits on memory and verbal learning and impaired immune function.
Anemia; acne-like skin conditions (chloracne); liver, stomach, and thyroid gland injuries, including reduced thyroid-hormone levels (hypothyroidism).
Reduction of sperm motility was associated with increasing PCB concentrations in semen in one study, although the study did not prove a cause-effect relationship. Can potentially reduce fertility.
Those with weakened liver function may be at increased risk of negative effects because PCBs are metabolized in the liver.
Some evidence to suggest that exposure during early childhood may hinder the immune system’s ability to form immunity in response to vaccinations leaving the child at risk or vaccine preventable diseases.

How Exposures Occur

Today, the biggest exposures come from PCBs that were created before the 1977 ban but are still cycling in the environment.

Food

Children can consume PCBs by eating contaminated fish and other animal foods. PCBs accumulate in fatty tissue of animals. The amount of PCBs in animal tissue typically increases as you move up the food chain. As a result, high-fat predatory fish, such as bluefish and Great Lakes salmon and lake trout, have high levels of PCB in their fat. Farmed salmon, which are fed a diet high in fatty fish oils, have been found to contain higher PCB concentrations than wild salmon. Meats, dairy products, and seafood (particularly coastal and freshwater fish as well as mussels, clams, crabs and lobsters) are of highest concern. See our Fish and Seafood: Charting a Course for the Safest Choices.

Breast Milk

PCBs have also been detected in human breast milk. However, the benefits for babies from breast feeding outweigh the risks of PCB exposure. Breastfed babies are healthier than those who are bottle-fed; they experience fewer allergies, respiratory illnesses, and skin problems. In its 2005 policy statement, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, the American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommends breast feeding for all infants for one year.

Drinking Water

PCBs were released into wastewater prior to the ban in 1977. However, PCB levels are very low in drinking water since most PCBs bind to soils along water ways, sediment at the bottom of rivers, and accumulated in animals. Disturbances from flooding and slow release of PCBs from these environmental storages has resulted in their continual presence in many water bodies.

Soil

PCBs are released from landfills as a result of the disposal of appliances, such as televisions and refrigerators, and fluorescent lighting fixtures that contained PCBs.

Indoor air

PCBs have been detected in indoor air. The source of indoor PCB emissions are electrical appliances and fluorescent lighting electrical components (ballasts) that still contain PCBs. In buildings that were constructed before 1977, another possible source is caulking used to seal joints between masonry units and around windows.

Significant Statistics

PCB manufacture was banned in 1979 and is no longer produced in the United States.

Basic Information. US Environmental Protection Agency. December 29, 2010.

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/pubs/about.htm.

PCBs do not break down easily in the environment. As a result, they are found all over the world, including environments uninhabited by humans.

Basic Information. US Environmental Protection Agency. December 29, 2010.

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/pubs/about.htm.

Solutions

How to detect polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Fish: Individual states establish fish consumption advisories depending on the detected levels of PCBs. Indiana, New York and Washington DC have issued statewide PCB advisories for freshwater lakes and rivers. Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island have issued statewide PCB advisories for coastal marine waters. Other states and territories may have advisories for specific waterways. Your state health department can tell you if any fish consumption advisories for PCB contamination exist in your area, or you can check our Safe Fish Checklist For Children, Teens and Women of Childbearing Age.
Drinking Water: PCBs are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires that community water systems monitor PCB levels, and make public when levels exceed the set Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). The MCL for PCBs is 0.5 parts per billion.

Community water systems are required to produce annual consumer confidence reports and mail them to every water customer.

If your water source is a well, your water is not monitored for contaminants as is required for public water supplies by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Private testing of the water is necessary.

Even if your water comes from a community water system, contaminant levels can vary from house to house. You can have your water tested by sending samples to a certified laboratory.

You can search for water quality reports from your water provider, obtain information on well water testing and find a list of state-certified drinking water laboratories at the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water’s website or call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791.
Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts: Only ballasts manufactured through 1979 contain PCBs. Ballasts manufactured after 1979 that do not contain PCBs are labeled "NO PCBs." If a ballast is not labeled "NO PCBs," assume it contains PCBs.
To find out whether PCBs have been released in your neighborhood, visit Scorecard.

How to minimize exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Fluorescent Bulbs: If the ballast,the portion of the lamp containing PCBs, is not leaking a clear or yellow fluid, you may dispose of the fluorescent lamp as you would other municipal solid waste. If the ballast is leaking, it must be disposed as other PCB wastes. Contact your regional U.S.EPA office listed above. For EPA-approved disposal companies, see the EPA listings.
Children should be warned about playing with old appliances, electrical equipment, or transformers, since they may contain PCBs. Children should also be discouraged from playing in the dirt near hazardous waste sites and in areas where there was a transformer fire.
Reduce dietary fat. Remove fat from meat as well as skin on chicken and fish, before cooking. Use cooking methods such as broiling, which allows fat to drip away from the food.
PCBs accumulate in the belly flap, gills, eyes, brain and internal organs of fish and shellfish (including the “tomalley ” in lobster and the “mustard ” in blue crab). PCB exposure can be reduced by removing these body parts, trimming fat, any darker meat along the top or center of the fillet, and skinning. Avoid sauces made from liquid fish drippings or cooking water, and avoid stews and soups that call for whole fish with internal organs intact. Opt for wild salmon instead of farmed "Atlantic" salmon, which contains higher PCB levels.