[2024 Guide] FAQ: What are PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)?

What Are PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)?

Polychlorinated biphenyls, commonly referred to as PCBs, are a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms.

PCBs belong to a group of chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons, which include other highly toxic chemicals and industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), vinyl chloride, and more.

Different types of chlorinated hydrocarbons are probable human carcinogens and are linked to several other health problems.

PCBs were employed in numerous products, such as transformers, capacitors, and electrical equipment.

PCBs were present in certain types of fluorescent light fixtures that were widely used in schools and other older buildings.

Given their chemical stability, PCBs do not readily break down and may remain for long periods cycling between air, water, and soil.

Why Were PCBs Used?

From the 1920s until bans took effect in the late 1970s, PCBs found favor in a wide array of industrial applications, primarily because of certain properties they exhibited.

The properties and features that made commercial PCB mixtures favorable in industrial applications include:

• Chemical Stability:  PCBs resist breaking down, even when exposed to extreme temperatures or pressures.
• Electrical Insulation:  The insulating capabilities of PCBs made them valuable in electrical equipment like transformers and capacitors.
• Low Flammability:  Due to their low flammability, PCBs became useful in safety-critical applications.
• Thermal Stability:  The ability of PCBs to perform consistently across a range of temperatures made them useful in a variety of industries and products. PCBs were not only used in electrical equipment but also in hydraulic systems, heat transfer systems, and even as plasticizers in paints, plastics, and rubber products.

Chemical Makeup of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are organic compounds that are comprised of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms.

Structurally, they have two phenyl rings (a six-sided carbon ring typical to many organic compounds) and can contain anywhere from one to ten chlorine atoms.

The number of chlorine atoms and their specific locations on the biphenyl molecule can vary, leading to a potential of 209 different PCB congeners (varieties).

PCBs were widely manufactured and used in various industrial applications due to their non-flammability, chemical stability, and electrical insulating properties.

By the late 1970s, however, growing concerns over environmental contamination and health risks led to strict regulations, and Monsanto ceased its production of PCBs.

What Companies Produced PCBs?

Monsanto was the primary manufacturer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were first synthesized in the late 1800s, but their commercial production began in the 1920s by Swann Chemical Company of St. Louis, MO.

Monsanto acquired Swann Chemical Co. in 1935, and began producing PCBs at a plant in Sauget, IL.

Over the subsequent decades, Monsanto became the principal producer of PCBs in the United States, under the trade name Aroclor.

By the late 1970s, however, growing concerns over environmental contamination and health risks led to strict regulations, and Monsanto ceased its production of PCBs in 1977.

Monsanto was the primary manufacturer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were first synthesized in the late 1800s, but their commercial production began in the 1920s by Swann Chemical Company of St. Louis, MO.

Monsanto acquired Swann Chemical Co. in 1935, and began producing PCBs at a plant in Sauget, IL.

Over the subsequent decades, Monsanto became the principal producer of PCBs in the United States, under the trade name Aroclor.

Contextualizing the Use of PCBs in the 20th Century

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were a cornerstone in American industry, and played a pivotal role in the nation’s rapid industrialization during the 20th century.

Their chemical stability, non-flammability, and electrical insulating properties made PCBs highly sought after in a variety of industrial applications.

PCBs were integral in the manufacturing of electrical transformers and capacitors, which were essential for the expansion of the national power grid.

The demand for these chemicals soared as America’s infrastructure grew, with PCBs being used in electrical equipment on everything from telephone poles to industrial machinery.

Beyond large-scale industrial use, PCBs found their way into consumer products, making their presence ubiquitous in American households.

They were used in fluorescent light ballasts, aiming to provide safe insulation and preventing fires in homes, offices, and schools.

PCBs were also present in certain types of paints, sealants, and adhesives, used commonly in building construction and maintenance.

The widespread use of PCBs meant widespread exposure, as the chemicals have damaged natural environments and caused severe health issues in humans and animals.

Despite their utility, the hidden costs of PCBs on human health and the environment became impossible to ignore.

Monsanto Knew About PCB Dangers, but Continued to Produce Them

According to documents from the Poison Papers Project and legal actions throughout the years, it has become evident that Monsanto was aware of the health and environmental dangers posed by PCBs well before the federal ban in 1979.

Despite this knowledge, the company continued to produce and market the chemical.

One revealing Monsanto document from 1969, found in the Poison Papers archive, acknowledges the environmental persistence and harmful effects of PCBs.

Within the document from 1969, Monsanto officials say that:

“…direct lawsuits are possible… [because] customers using the products have not been officially notified about known effects nor [do] our labels carry this information.”

Despite internal discussions regarding their potential liability and various courses of action, including discontinuing PCB production, Monsanto prioritized profits over public health and environmental safety.

When Were PCBs Banned?

PCBs were banned from manufacturing in the United States in 1979 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Despite this ban under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), many areas where PCBs were used or disposed of still exhibit high levels of these chemicals.

As a result, numerous lawsuits have been initiated, and actions have been taken to mandate the remediation and cleanup of contaminated sites.

Potential Human Health Effects of Exposure to PCBs

Research from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other organizations have highlighted the severe risks of exposure to PCBs.

Polychlorinated biphenyls have been linked to numerous adverse health effects and extreme environmental contamination.

PCBs accumulate in the environment and do not readily break down, posing long-term risks.

Here are general facts and insights relating to the dangers of PCBs:

• Prolonged exposure to PCBs is linked to increased cancer risks.
• Exposure to PCBs may disrupt the immune and endocrine systems, potentially leading to disease susceptibility and reproductive issues.
  • The connections between PCB exposure and immune system effects has been seen primarily in animal studies, specifically with laboratory animals prenatally exposed to PCBs.
• Prenatal exposure to PCBs is a concern, potentially resulting in cognitive and motor impairments in children.
• PCBs bioaccumulate in organisms, intensifying their concentration up the food chain and posing significant health risks to humans and apex predators.

Exposure to PCBs affect human health, and different types of exposure may increase the risk factors for people to be diagnosed with certain health effects related to these toxic substances.

Cancer Causing Chemicals: What Cancers are Linked to PCB Exposure?

Exposure to PCBs has been linked to several types of cancer in scientific studies.

Visit our page on PCB Health Effects to learn more.

Cancers linked to PCB exposure may include, but are not limited to:

• Liver cancer
• Biliary tract cancer
• Intestinal cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Malignant melanoma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer

Non-Cancer Health Effects of Exposure to PCBs

Although PCBs are a probable human carcinogen, several other adverse health effects may be linked to exposure to PCBs.

Other health effects of PCB exposure may include:

• Impaired reproduction
  • Low birth weight
  • Miscarriage
  • Premature birth
  • Developmental delays
  • Other birth defects
• Neurological disorders and effects
  • ADHD/Attention problems
  • Behavioral problems
  • Memory loss
  • Confusion
  • Brain fog
  • Learning disorders/Low IQ
  • Difficulty coping with challenging situations
• Skin conditions
  • Chloracne and related dermal lesions
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Skin sloughing
  • Frequent rashes
  • Acne like skin conditions
• Liver damage
• Endocrine disorders
• Immune system effects
• Puberty abnormalities
  • Female early-onset puberty
• Other symptoms and health effects

Scientific Research on the Harmful Health Effects of PCB Exposures

The association between exposure to PCBs and adverse health effects has been displayed in several scientific studies.

Studies on the health problems linked to PCB exposure include, but are not limited to:

• Reviews on Environmental Health:  Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Routes of Exposure and Effects on Human Health
• Environmental Health Perspectives:  Effects of PCB exposure on neuropsychological function in children
• Environmental Health Perspectives:  Occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
• Science of the Total Environment:  Environmental contamination and human exposure of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in China: A review
• Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety:  The public health implications of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment
• The Journal of Pediatrics:  Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and attention at school age
• European Journal of Cancer Prevention:  Environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and breast cancer: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence
• European Journal of Cancer Prevention:  Occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and cancer risk
• American Journal of Epidemiology:  Mortality among Workers Exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls
• Journal of Environmental Science and Health:  Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Cancer: An Epidemiological Assessment
• Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine:  Cancer mortality among electric utility workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls
• Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology:  Congener-Specific Distribution of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Brain Regions, Blood, Liver, and Fat of Adult Rats Following Repeated Exposure to Aroclor 1254
• Environment International:  Effects of environmental contaminants in water resources on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• American Association for Cancer Research Journals:  Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Toxicology and Industrial Health:  Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on development and reproduction

Understanding the Effects of PCB Contamination on Environmental Health

PCBs are known to be persistent organic pollutants.

These toxic substances not only pose risks to human health but also deeply impact environmental well-being.

Their resistance to breakdown means they linger in ecosystems, affecting land, air, and water resources.

Over time, PCBs accumulate in plants and animals, disrupting delicate ecological balances.

Water systems, particularly, face the brunt of PCB contamination.

Aquatic plants and animals can absorb PCBs, leading to detrimental effects on their health and reproduction.

As these PCB contaminated fish are consumed by predators (and sometimes humans), PCBs move up the food chain, resulting in bioaccumulation.

This process means that top-level predators, including certain fish species consumed by humans, can have alarmingly high levels of PCBs.

On land, soil contaminated with PCBs can adversely impact plant growth and the organisms that rely on that flora for sustenance.

One of the most concerning aspects of PCB contamination is its longevity.

Ecosystems may suffer the consequences for decades, if not longer.

PCBs can interact with other environmental pollutants, potentially amplifying harmful effects or creating new hazards altogether.

To protect both the environment and humans, understanding and addressing the pervasive issue of PCB contamination is extremely important.

Efforts to clean up contaminated sites and prevent further PCB release are crucial steps.

Case Study: Anniston, AL PCB Contamination

From 1929 to 1971, Monsanto Chemical Corporation, succeeding the Swann Chemical Company, produced polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Anniston, Alabama, leading to significant contamination of the local environment.

It was not until the 1990s and early 2000s that investigations shed light on the elevated levels of PCBs in residents and the environment.

These findings, along with documentation from the Anniston Community Health Survey, indicated that PCB levels in Anniston residents were substantially higher compared to the general public, with African-Americans bearing an even greater burden.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) completed the Anniston Community Health Survey (ACHS), presenting results of the survey in April 2008.

Scientific studies on the environment and health surveys on the Anniston, AL PCB contamination include:

• Environmental Protection Agency:  Initial attempts to profile health effects with types of exposures in Anniston, Alabama
• Journal of Hypertension:  Blood pressure and hypertension in relation to levels of serum polychlorinated biphenyls in residents of Anniston, Alabama
• Environmental Health Perspectives:  Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Exposure and Diabetes: Results from the Anniston Community Health Survey
• Journal of Environmental Health:  Analysis of the effects of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides on serum lipid levels in residents of Anniston, Alabama
• Chemosphere:  Polychlorinated biphenyls in tree bark near a former manufacturing plant in Anniston, Alabama
• Environmental International:  Metabolic syndrome is associated with exposure to organochlorine pesticides in Anniston, AL, United States
• Environmental International:  Racial differences in levels of serum lipids and effects of exposure to persistent organic pollutants on lipid levels in residents of Anniston, Alabama
• United States Geologic Survey:  Evaluation of toxicity to the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, and to the midge, Chironomus dilutus; and bioaccumulation by the oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus, with exposure to PCB-contaminated sediments from Anniston, Alabama
• Human and Ecological Risk Assessment:  Assessing measurable adverse changes to benthic invertebrate communities based on site-specific sediment toxicity testing and community data at the Anniston, Alabama PCB site
• Pediatric Clinics of North America:  Environmental Health Disparities: Environmental and Social Impact of Industrial Pollution in a Community—the Model of Anniston, AL
• Environmental Health Perspectives:  Hypertension in Relation to Dioxins and Polychlorinated Biphenyls from the Anniston Community Health Survey Follow-Up
• Chemosphere:  Polychlorinated biphenyls, indicators of thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies in the Anniston Community Health Survey I (ACHS-I)

Monsanto was aware of the detrimental health effects associated with PCBs, including links to hypertension, diabetes, and some cancers.

Yet, the company prioritized profits over the health and well-being of the Anniston community, perpetuating systemic racial and environmental injustices that still resonate today.

In 2013, nearly 85 years after PCBs were first used in the town, Monsanto subsidiary Solutia agreed to a $700m settlement to complete cleanup at the Anniston PCB Superfund Site.

Other PCB Contamination Events and Superfund Sites

PCBs have contaminated lakes, rivers, public waterways, soils, and the natural environment across the United States, leading to the establishment of Superfund sites by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A Superfund site is a designated area identified by the EPA as contaminated by hazardous waste and selected for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health and/or the environment.

PCB contamination has stemmed from both Monsanto’s industrial operations, as well as other companies such as General Electric and Westinghouse.

PCB Hazardous Waste and Superfund Sites include:

• Hudson River, New York:  This Superfund Site was heavily contaminated due to PCB production by the Monsanto Chemical Corporation from 1929 to 1971. The local environment and residents experienced significant exposure, leading to health concerns and litigation.
• Sauget, Illinois:  Home to several Superfund sites that are a result of its industrial history, Monsanto’s main manufacturing plant for PCBs was located in Sauget. These sites have witnessed the release of a range of pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals, and other toxic compounds, leading to groundwater, soil, and surface water contamination.
• Fox River, Wisconsin:  From the 1950s through the 1970s, several paper mills along the Fox River released PCBs into the water. The contamination led to health advisories on fish consumption and ultimately to the river’s designation as a Superfund site.
• New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts:  From the 1940s to the 1970s, two electrical capacitor manufacturing plants released PCBs into New Bedford Harbor. This resulted in contamination of fish and shellfish, prompting fishing restrictions and a cleanup effort worth over $1 billion.
• Housatonic River, Massachusetts:  The General Electric facility in Pittsfield released PCBs into the river, contaminating nearly two miles of the Housatonic. The contamination spread through the floodplain and affected wildlife, leading to its designation as a Superfund site.
• Poplar Creek, Tennessee:  Part of the larger Oak Ridge Reservation Superfund site, the Poplar Creek area saw PCB contamination due to the activities of the Y-12 National Security Complex. Cleanup efforts focus on soil, sediment, and surface water contamination.
• St. Lawrence River, New York:  The St. Lawrence River near Massena, NY, experienced PCB contamination due to discharge from two local industries. This resulted in fish advisories and extensive cleanup operations to protect the environment and public health.
• Lake Hartwell, South Carolina:  Contaminated by PCBs from a capacitor manufacturing plant located near the lake. The PCBs have settled in the sediment and fish, leading to advisories against consumption.
• San Jacinto Waste Pits, Texas:  Located on the San Jacinto River near Houston, these pits contain harmful toxins, including PCBs, that were dumped in the 1960s. Erosion and storm events have raised concerns about further spreading of the contamination, leading to its categorization as a Superfund site.
• Harbor Island, Seattle, Washington:  A major urban industrial center, Harbor Island has seen contamination from various sources, including PCBs, and has been designated as a Superfund site. Remediation efforts are ongoing to address soil and groundwater contamination.
• Moss Landing, California:  This site along Monterey Bay was contaminated with PCBs from electrical transformers and other equipment, and is designated as a Superfund site. Cleanup efforts have involved removing and treating affected soils.

Several other Superfund sites for PCB contamination exist in the United States.

TorHoerman Law: Investigating Lawsuits for PCB Exposures in School Buildings

Our law firm is currently investigating potential litigation for those suffering from exposure to PCBs.

If you or a loved one were exposed to PCBs and subsequently developed health problems, you may be eligible to file a PCB Lawsuit claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for more information.

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