PCBs- Polychlorinated biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, were often employed in numerous industrial

applications. Research has shown that some PCB congeners have a sluggish environmental

degradation rate and can accumulate in the food chain. Initial reports of poisoning incidents in

Asia were linked to PCB-contaminated oil, however further research revealed that the apparent

toxicity was really caused by the thermal degradation products of PCBs. In the US,

PCB commercial production was outlawed in 1979. PCBs were used mainly as coolants and

lubricants in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment. They were also used in

fluorescent lighting fixtures, microscope oil, and hydraulic fluids. Since PCBs are present

everywhere in the environment, most people have probably been exposed to them. PCBs can

enter the body by the air we breathe, ingesting contaminated food, or coming into contact with

our skin. The body may quickly absorb PCBs, which are then deposited in fatty tissue . People

who are exposed to PCBs may experience chloracne, which are small, pale, yellow skin lesions

that can linger for months or years. Although there are no obvious signs, PCBs can also

short-term abnormalities in the liver's function. These liver alterations are comparable to those

brought on by consuming alcoholic beverages or smoking cigarettes. Studies on animals have

also revealed that PCBs may have an impact on the immunological, endocrine, and

reproductive systems; however, these consequences on people are unknown. Mothers who

were exposed to PCBs have been related to birth abnormalities. Children, pregnant women, and

nursing mothers should all restrict their exposure to PCBs because they are particularly

dangerous to developing fetuses and young children.The majority of people have detectable

levels of PCBs in their systems. The most accurate way to assess PCB exposure to high levels

is through a blood test. Although it is technically possible to measure PCB levels in the body,

doing so is expensive and is not typically advised because the results do not indicate whether a

particular treatment would be effective.

References: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0147651304000909

http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/polychlorinatedbiphenyls.htm#:~:text=PCBs%20

are%20very%20stable%20mixtures,fluids%2C%20lubricants%2C%20and%20plasticizers.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/polychlorinated-biphenyls-p

cbs/