Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary
Polychlorinated Biphenyls is a other — Industrial chemicals; banned in 1979 in US
Also: PCBs
What it does
Industrial chemicals; banned in 1979 in US
Where you'll see it
environmental contamination, fatty fish (bioaccumulation), old electrical equipment, sport-caught fish, contaminated soil/water
What the research says
Probable human carcinogens. Cause cancer in test animals. 1968 Japan poisoning of 1,200 people from contaminated cooking oil. Linked to behavioral, memory, and learning problems in prenatally-exposed children via thyroid hormone disruption. Persistent — bioaccumulate in fatty tissues. Fish consumption is the major exposure pathway.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: BAN
- EU: banned
- Notes: Manufacture/import banned in US since 1979; #5 on CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances; probable human carcinogens
Sources
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Today they are classified as probable human carcinogens... PCBs, unfortunately, remain in the environment for a long time