Animal studies show the immune system can be affected by PCBs.PCBs cause liver cancer in laboratory animals and may cause cancer in humans.The following health effects can occur after several years of exposure to PCBs: Exposure to high levels of PCBs, as might occur as a result of a chemical spill, can cause changes in the immune system and in liver function. Researchers have found PCBs cause a number of harmful health effects. It’s also important to consider the length of exposure to the chemical, the amount of chemical exposure, and whether the chemical was inhaled, touched, or eaten. StandardsĪ person's reaction to chemicals depends on several things, including individual health, heredity, previous exposure to chemicals including medicines, and personal habits such as smoking or drinking.
PCB CHEMICAL SKIN
PCBs can be absorbed through skin during handling of the chemicals, contaminated soil or other contaminated items. People can be exposed to PCBs in places where these chemicals were used, spilled, or thrown away. For more information, contact your regional Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) office. State advisories are available for people who eat sport-caught fish and waterfowl. In general, older animals living in polluted areas have the highest levels. Researchers have found high levels of PCBs in several types of fish, shellfish, marine mammals and waterfowl. Babies may be exposed to PCBs in breast milk from mothers who often eat PCB contaminated fish. When people lose weight or breastfeed, their bodies use stored fat and put stored PCBs back into their blood. When people eat contaminated food over many years, PCBs can build up in their body fat. Women who are pregnant or who plan to have children should be especially cautious about eating contaminated fish. For example, fish can have PCB levels in their fatty tissues that are much higher than in the surrounding water.įor most people, eating fish or other seafood caught from polluted water is the main way in which they are exposed to PCBs. Recent studies found that most people have traces of PCBs in their body fat. PCBs can build up over time in the fat of people and animals. PCBs break down very slowly and can be carried long distances in the air, in rivers, lakes and oceans. PCBs may be present in old fluorescent light fixtures and parts of appliances made before 1978. For example, PCBs can accumulate in the environment. The EPA was concerned about the harmful effects of PCBs. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of PCBs. They've been used as coolants in electrical equipment, in metal-cutting oils, in microscope lens oils, and in inks, dyes, and carbonless copy paper. There are no natural sources of PCBs.Ĭompanies in the United States first made PCBs in 1929. They are yellow, oily liquids that don't burn easily. PCBs are a group of 209 different compounds and are manufactured substances and have no smell. Also known as: Aroclor, Chlorinated Biphenyls, Kaneclor
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