Where It Comes From
Legacy PCB mixtures in old transformers/ballasts, caulk and sealants; inadvertent formation in certain paint pigments; long-lasting in soil, dust, and sediments [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Eating contaminated fish/seafood, meat, and dairy; breathing or swallowing indoor dust in older buildings; handling old electrical gear; contact with contaminated soil/sediment [1][2].
Why It Matters
PCBs can harm the immune system, thyroid, reproduction, and children’s brain development, and are linked to cancer (IARC Group 1; NTP: known human carcinogens) [1][3][4].
Who Is at Risk
People who eat a lot of sport-caught fish from contaminated waters; pregnant/breastfeeding people, infants, and children; demolition/renovation, electrical, and e‑waste workers; communities near contaminated waterways or waste sites [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Follow local fish advisories; choose lean cuts and trim skin/fat; wet-wipe and HEPA-vacuum dust; avoid disturbing old caulk/ballasts—use certified abatement; wash hands; dispose/recycle PCB equipment properly per EPA guidance [1][2].
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).
- [2]U.S. EPA. Learn About Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and PCBs in Products/Building Materials.
- [3]IARC Monographs, Volume 107: Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Biphenyls.
- [4]NTP, Report on Carcinogens: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).