What are the symptoms of PCBs?
Usually there are no immediate symptoms caused by exposure to PCBs, unless it is a massive exposure, such as falling in a tank containing PCBs or ingesting a significant amount of PCBs. In these cases, a worker may experience nausea, vomiting, respiratory irritation (sniffles, cough), and skin irritation (redness).
What happens when PCB enters the body?
In people, PCBs can affect the skin and may cause chloracne–small, pale, yellow skin lesions that may last from weeks to years. PCBs also can cause short-term changes in the activity of the liver, but without any noticeable symptoms.
What do PCBs affect the most?
Studies of PCBs in humans have found increased rates of melanomas, liver cancer, gall bladder cancer, biliary tract cancer, gastrointestinal tract cancer, and brain cancer, and may be linked to breast cancer. PCBs are known to cause a variety of types of cancer in rats, mice, and other study animals.
What animals do PCBs affect?
Thus humans can also accumulate PCBs from the food they eat. Some animal species, including insects and other invertebrates, birds, fish, and mammals, can break down or transform certain PCBs within their bodies.
How do you get rid of PCBs in your body?
The main PCB elimination routes are through the faeces, urine, and breast milk. Once in the gastrointestinal tract, ingested PCBs diffuse across cell membranes and enter blood vessels and the lymphatic system.
How is PCB poisoning treated?
Treat acute skin and eye PCB exposure immediately by flushing with copious amounts of water. However, post-contamination washing cannot ensure removal of all contamination [Wester et al. 1983]. Remove contaminated clothing and discard properly.
Why is PCB bad?
PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects. They have been shown to cause cancer in animals as well as a number of serious non-cancer health effects in animals, including: effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other health effects.
How do you remove a PCB from your body?
Because PCBs accumulate in fish fat, people can reduce their intake of PCBs by removing the skin and fatty areas from fish fillets. Do not fry fish. Instead, barbecue, broil, or bake fish on an elevated rack that allows fat to drip away. You can also poach fish if you discard the broth.
How do I get rid of PCBs?
Treatment options are available to remove PCBs from well water. The most commonly used is called granular activated carbon filtration. Options include central treatment (at the well or entry to home) or a point-of-use device (kitchen sink filter).
What foods contain PCBs?
Small amounts are found in meat, dairy products and drinking water. Fish are the major dietary sources of PCBs , especially fish caught in contaminated lakes or rivers. Level of PCBs found in fish will vary with region and the type of fish native to that region.
What is a safe level of PCB?
EPA requires that PCB spills or accidental releases into the environment of 1 pound or more be reported to EPA [ATSDR 2000]. FDA mandates tolerances of 0.2-3.0 ppm PCBs for all foods, with a tolerance level in fish of 2 ppm. FDA also limits PCBs in paper food-packaging materials to 10 ppm [FDA 1996c].
How do you get rid of PCBs in the environment?
What produces PCBs?
Sources of PCB pollution: Landfills containing transformers, capacitors, and other PCB waste can release PCBs into the air. The incineration of municipal waste may lead to PCB pollution and produce dangerous by-products, such as hydrogen chloride (HCl) and dioxins (PCDDs and PCDFs).
How do you get PCBs out of your body?
Tests on laboratory animals show that PCBs are readily absorbed through the digestive tract when swallowed, and to a lesser extent through the skin. The main PCB elimination routes are through the faeces, urine, and breast milk.
How do I remove PCBs?
Is PCB hazardous waste?
PCB wastes are regulated as non-RCRA hazardous waste when PCB concentrations are ≥ 5 ppm in liquids and ≥ 50 ppm in non-liquid wastes. PCBs at > 5000 ppm are an extremely hazardous waste under California regulations.
How long do PCBs last in the environment?
The time it takes for half of the amount of PCBs (initially) present to be broken down ranges from 3.5 to 83 days for molecules with 1 to 5 chlorine atoms.
What are examples of PCBs?
Products that may contain PCBs include:
- Transformers and capacitors.
- Electrical equipment including voltage regulators, switches, re-closers, bushings, and electromagnets.
- Oil used in motors and hydraulic systems.
- Old electrical devices or appliances containing PCB capacitors.
- Fluorescent light ballasts.
- Cable insulation.
How long does it take for PCBs to break down?
The time it takes for half of the amount of PCBs (initially) present to be broken down ranges from 3.5 to 83 days for molecules with 1 to 5 chlorine atoms. In water, PCBs are essentially broken down by the effect of sunlight (photolysis).
How do you treat PCBs?
No specific treatment exists for PCB accumulation. Patients should avoid further PCB exposure and also avoid other hepatotoxic substances, including ethanol.
