PCBs

Jaron Cloward
Chem 1010
PCBs, also known as Polychlorinated Biphenyl, are an extremely dangerous
and deadly chemical compound. This compound was at one time used as coolant
fluids as well as inks and other materials. The chemical compound for these
chemicals contain Carbon hydrogen and Chlorine. They are also highly flammable
and are very hard to get rid of. They are highly soluble and not easily gotten rid of.
There are a total of 209 known different PCBs. These vary in severity of damage to
the environment and individual who has been contaminated. Damage has cost
anywhere up to 100,000 dollars. This is a big problem. We have stopped the
production of these because of how dangerous these products are to the
environment. We have also put out a great many warning about them.

In recent years, scientist have found many of these compounds in the

waterways and lakes of varying places. These compounds are passed through the
waterways by the currents as well as through atmospheric transport. They have
destroyed a great many ecosystems and effect fish and other wildlife and make it
not safe to consume them.
In the great lakes area, there was a company that would dump chemicals that
contain these PCBs into the lakes. This resulted in severe damage to the
ecosystem. In other areas, the PCBs were intentionally dumped along the roadways
as a protest against the law of the area. It got so bad that they put warnings up by
the dumpsites. The culprits were caught and severely punished.
When consumed PCbs can cause cancer and liver damage. They can create
rashes, chloracne, and eye problems. These are found in both humans and animals.
It has effected several states and countries. Some areas where PCBs have been
found are Massachusetts, Ohio, and the Great Lakes area. These areas have been
effected in varying ways. Massachusetts has been effected by the dumping of Ge
into the Housatonic river. This has then infected the fish and fowl of the area.
Therefore, the fish and fowls in the area are not safe to consume. In Ohio the area of
Akrons air supply was contaminated by an electrical transformer.
There are some alternatives that we have started to use. Some of these are
mineral oil, and dry type transformers. These are now being used to phase out the
more dangerous old versions. These are much safer for the environment and better
for everyone. The path to a safer environment is a long one but it will be worth it.

Works Cited
"PCBs Polychlorinated Biphenyls." Scientific Facts on. Web. 02 May
2016.
"What Are The Human Health Effects Of PCBs?" What Are The Human
Health Effects Of PCBs? Web. 02 May 2016.

Reflection
This course was very helpful and very much a good introduction to how
chemistry works. It was very helpful to learn how to do the math equations, and
how an atoms are actually thought to look like. Chem 1010 was a great class that
allowed me to relearn a lot of the things I forgot from high school. Doing the
Research paper opened my eyes to the dangers of PCBs and how much we actually
used them. It has been a great eye-opener to how much damage one person can
cause and how much one person can actually do to help the environment.