PCBs in North Carolina State Poe Hall

PCBs: What You Need to Know

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were widely used in industrial applications from the 1930s to the 1970s due to their heat resistance and insulating properties. However, their environmental and health risks led to the Environmental Protection Agency banning the manufacture of PCBs in 1979. Although no longer commercially produced in the United States, PCBs may be present in products and materials produced before the 1979 PCB ban. 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; Thermal insulation material including fiberglass, felt, foam, and cork; Adhesives and tapes; Oil-based paint; Caulking; Plastics; Carbonless copy paper; Floor finish;

Here's why PCBs are considered dangerous:

• Chemical Structure: PCBs comprise chlorine, carbon, and hydrogen atoms arranged in biphenyl structures, with the number and placement of chlorine atoms determining the specific type.
• Persistence: PCBs resist breakdown, leading to their long-lasting presence in the environment and accumulation in soil, water, and living organisms.
• Toxicity: PCBs are toxic to humans and wildlife, with adverse health effects including cancer-causing properties, damage to the immune and nervous systems, reproductive issues, and interference with hormone function.
• Exposure Routes: Human exposure to PCBs can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact with contaminated materials, and there are significant concerns about occupational exposure.
• Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification: PCBs can build up in the tissues of living organisms over time and increase in concentration along the food chain, leading to higher levels in top predators.
• Regulatory Action: Strict regulations and international agreements aim to reduce the production, use, and environmental release of PCBs, with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants addressing their management and elimination.