NYC-WTC_000199899

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Atsdr AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS Division of Toxicology ToxFAQs* '* February 2001 This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about polychlorinated biphenyls. For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It’s important you understand this information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. HIGHLIGHTS: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a mixture ofindividual chemicals which are no longer produced in the United States, but are still found in the environment Health effects that have been associated with exposure to PCBs include acne-like skin conditions in adults and neurobehavioral and immunological changes in children. PCBs are known to cause cancer in animals. PCBs have been found in at least 500 of the 1,598 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What are polychlorinated biphenyls? aquatic animals as food. PCBs accumulate in fish and marine Polychlorinated biphenyls are mixtures of up to 209 mammals, reaching levels that may be many thousands of individual chlorinated compounds (known as congeners). times higher than in water. There are no known natural sources of PCBs. PCBs are either oily liquids or solids that are colorless to light yellow. How might I be exposed to PCBs? Some PCBs can exist as a vapor in air. PCBs have no known □ Using old fluorescent lighting fixtures and electrical smell or taste. Many commercial PCB mixtures are known in devices and appliances, such as television sets and the U.S. by the trade name Aroclor. refrigerators, that were made 30 or more years ago. These PCBs have been used as coolants and lubricants in items may leak small amounts of PCBs into the air when they transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment get hot during operation, and could be a source of skin because they don’t bum easily and are good insulators. exposure. The manufacture of PCBs was stopped in the U.S. in 1977 □ Eating contaminated food. The main dietary sources of because of evidence they build up in the environment and PCBs are fish (especially sportfish caught in contaminated can cause harmful health effects. Products made before 1977 lakes or rivers), meat, and dairy products. that may contain PCBs include old fluorescent lighting □ Breathing air near hazardous waste sites and drinking fixtures and electrical devices containing PCB capacitors, contaminated well water. and old microscope and hydraulic oils. □ In the workplace during repair and maintenance of PCB transformers; accidents, fires or spills involving transformers, What happens to PCBs when they enter the environment? fluorescent lights, and other old electrical devices; and □ PCBs entered the air, water, and soil during their disposal of PCB materials. manufacture, use, and disposal; from accidental spills and leaks during their transport; and from leaks or fires in How can PCBs affect my health? products containing PCBs. The most commonly observed health effects in □ PCBs can still be released to the environment from people exposed to large amounts of PCBs are skin hazardous waste sites; illegal or improper disposal of conditions such as acne and rashes. Studies in exposed industrial wastes and consumer products; leaks from old workers have shown changes in blood and urine that may electrical transformers containing PCBs; and burning of indicate liver damage. PCB exposures in the general some wastes in incinerators. population are not likely to result in skin and liver effects. □ PCBs do not readily break down in the environment and Most of the studies of health effects of PCBs in the general thus may remain there for very long periods of time. PCBs population examined children of mothers who were exposed can travel long distances in the air and be deposited in areas to PCBs. far away from where they were released. In water, a small Animals that ate food containing large amounts of amount of PCBs may remain dissolved, but most stick to PCBs for short periods of time had mild liver damage and organic particles and bottom sediments. PCBs also bind some died. Animals that ate smaller amounts of PCBs in strongly to soil. food over several weeks or months developed various kinds □ PCBs are taken up by small organisms and fish in water. of health effects, including anemia; acne-like skin conditions; They are also taken up by other animals that eat these and liver, stomach, and thyroid gland injuries. Other effects U.S. DEPARTMENT Of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERX ICES, Public Health Service -Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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NYC-WTC_000199899