Who Is at Risk of Exposure to PCBs?

Persons living near incinerators, other PCB-disposal facilities, or NPL hazardous waste sites where PCBs have been detected may be exposed. Persons living near incinerators, other PCB-disposal facilities, or any of the 500 current or former hazardous waste sites on the NPL sites where PCBs have been found may be also at increased risk for exposure …

ATSDR Clinician Brief: Polychlorinated Biphenyls | ATSDR

PCB exposure and risk of associated adverse health effects may be potential concerns for the following patients: Workers in occupations with risk of PCB exposure Repair or maintenance of electrical transformers, capacitors, cables, or other older equipment

Effects of PCB exposure on neuropsychological function in …

The German study also reported a negative association between postnatal PCB exposure and cognitive function in early childhood--a result that had not been found in previous studies. ... laboratory, and their relative potency to produce nervous system effects is unknown. More complete information on the health effects of various congeners or ...

Understanding the Health Effects of Environmental PCB …

increased PCB exposure The offspring of low ncome subsistence f shers whose mothers ate large amounts of contaminated f sh or game Farmers and their families who consume PCB-contaminated food via farm-raised beef and dairy cattle Peop e liv ng near inc nerators, other PCB-d sposa fac lities, or PCB hazardous waste s

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Fact Sheet | US EPA …

between PCB exposure levels and health effects. Some studies in workers suggest that exposure to PCBs may also cause irritation of the nose and lungs, gastrointestinal discomfort, changes in the blood and liver, and depression and fatigue. Workplace concentrations of PCBs, such as those in areas where PCB transformers are repaired and

PCBs

Exposure to these low levels does not appear to affect human health. However, PCBs can accumulate in the human body and remain there for years. ... The adverse health effects include a severe form of acne (chloracne), swelling of the upper eyelids, discolouring of the nails and skin, numbness in the arms and/or legs, weakness, muscle spasms ...

PCB Health Effects: PCB Exposure Symptoms & Risks

On this page, we'll discuss an overview of the known PCB health effects and exposure symptoms, other PCB health risks, where PCBs are commonly found, what to do if you've experienced PCB exposure, and much more. Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Health Effects: How Exposure to PCBs Affect Human Health.

What Are The Human Health Effects Of PCBs?

Behavioral effects of maternal exposure to an ortho-chlorinated or a coplanar PCB congener in rats. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 3: 97-103. Weisglas-Kuperus, N. et al 2000. Immunologic Effects of background Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Dioxins in Dutch Preschool Children. Environmental Health Perspectives, …

Health Effects of PCBs in Residences and Schools (HESPERUS): PCB …

An individual estimate of long-term airborne PCB exposure was assigned based on measurements. ... no epidemiological studies have assessed the health effects from exposure to semi-volatile PCBs in ...

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Health effects that have been associated with exposure to PCBs include acne-like skin conditions in adults and neurobehavioral and immunological changes in children. …

Exposure to and health effects of volatile PCBs

Introduction: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent, lipophilic contaminants that are known to increase risk of a number of human diseases. Although ingestion of animal fats is a major route of exposure, there is increasing evidence that inhalation of vapor-phase PCBs is also important and may be as or even more important than ingestion …

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)(Arochlors)

Chronic (long-term) exposure to some PCB formulations by inhalation in humans results in respiratory tract symptoms, gastrointestinal effects, mild liver effects, and effects on the skin and eyes such as chloracne, skin rashes, and eye irritation. ... the RfD, the potential for adverse health effects increases. Lifetime exposure above the RfD ...

PCBs

The tests can show if your PCB levels are elevated, which would indicate past exposure to above-normal levels of PCBs, but cannot determine when or how long you were exposed or whether you will develop health effects. More Resources. PCBs, EPA; Reducing Exposure to PCBs in Schools and Other Buildings, EPA

ToxFAQs™ for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCB exposures in the general population are not likely to result in skin and liver effects. Most of the studies of health effects of PCBs in the general population examined children of mothers who were exposed to PCBs. ... There are no reports of structural birth defects caused by exposure to PCBs or of health effects of PCBs in older children ...

HEALTH EFFECTS

The health effects of PCBs have been extensively tested. Most studies investigated commercial PCBs mixtures that were produced in the United States before 1977 under …

How Should Patients Exposed to PCBs Be Treated and …

If chronic exposure has occurred due to consuming contaminated fish or game, the patient should be informed that PCBs tend to accumulate in the body with continued exposure, and counseled about the importance of minimizing further exposure. In areas with a known PCB problem, state and local public health or natural resources departments ...

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

The most commonly observed health effects in people . exposed to large amounts of PCBs are skin conditions such as acne and rashes. Studies in exposed workers have shown changes in blood and urine that may indicate liver damage. PCB exposures in the general population are not likely to result in skin and liver effects. Most of the studies of health

A Review of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Pollution in the …

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were widely used in industrial and commercial applications, until they were banned in the late 1970s as a result of their significant environmental pollution. PCBs in the environment gained scientific interest because of their persistence and the potential threats they pose to humans. …

Toxics | Free Full-Text | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in …

Negative effects on human health (neuropsychological and neurobehavioral deficits in children, dementia, immune system dysfunctions, cardiovascular diseases and cancer) were reported to occur at higher PCB concentrations compared to human exposure, demonstrating a hazard for human health.

PCB Lawsuit [September 2024 Guide] | PCB Exposure & Health Effects

The potential health effects of PCB exposure include cancer, immune effects, reproductive risks, neurological issues, and endocrine effects. While PCBs were originally used in construction materials, they have since led to large legislative action.

Public Health Statement for PCBs

You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. If you are exposed to PCBs, many factors determine whether you'll be harmed. These …

Polychlorinated biphenyls: New evidence from the last decade

PCB exposure induces various adverse health effects in animals and humans. Environmental and occupational exposures to PCBs have been associated with liver, …

Review Environmental contamination and human exposure …

The human exposure pathways and the health effects of PCBs deserve further study. Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), together with 11 other organic compounds, were initially listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention because of their potential threat to ecosystems and humans.

ATSDR Case Studies in Environmental Medicine …

What Standards and Regulations Exist for PCB Exposure?.....31 What Is the Biologic Fate of PCBs in Humans? .....35 What Are Adverse Health Effects of ... Health Effects • Describe adverse health effects associated with exposure to PCBs . Clinical Assessment • Describe characteristic findings on clinical

PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls

Current understanding about the effects of PCB exposure on human health is mainly based on findings from animal studies using mixtures of PCBs. More... 7.1 Studies revealed at what daily dose of PCBs a sensitive species of monkeys started showing signs of negative health effects (on the immune and nervous system).

Background exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and all …

The available scientific evidence of PCB effects on human health is mainly derived from studies based on professionally exposed populations or communities with known elevated exposure due to major accidents (Guo et al., 1997, Li et al., 2015, WHO European Centre for Environment and Health International Programme on Chemical …

Ten years after: findings from the medical surveillance …

After the detection of high environmental and occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a German recycling company for transformers and capacitors in 2010, the multidisciplinary medical surveillance program "HELPcB" (Health Effects in High-Level Exposure to PCB) was established for former PCB-exposed …

What Are Adverse Health Effects of PCB Exposure?

Occupational and epidemiologic studies have suggested or demonstrated other adverse health effects from exposure to PCBs. These health effects can involve the: Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Immune, Musculoskeletal, and; Neurological …

What Standards and Regulations Exist for PCB Exposure?

Air. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s permissible exposure limit (PEL) is a time-weighted average (TWA) airborne concentration of 1.0 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m 3) for PCBs containing 42% chlorine (average molecular formula of C 12 H 7 Cl 3).The PEL for PCBs with 54% chlorine and an average molecular formula of C …