The pebs that kingtech is talking about today is not the pebs that we produce, but an element below.
What are PCBs?
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are blends of as many as 209 distinct chemical compounds that are
chlorinated (known by the name congeners). There aren't any known natural sources for PCBs. PCBs can be
described as liquids that are oily or solids that are light yellow to colorless. PCBs may exist in the air as a
liquid. PCBs are not known to have any taste or smell. A variety of commercial PCB blends are marketed to the
U.S. by the trade name Aroclor.
PCBs are utilized as coolants and fluids in capacitors, transformers and other electrical equipment due to the
fact that they aren't easily burned and they are excellent insulation. PCBs were made but banned in the U.S. in
1977 because of the evidence that suggests they accumulate in the environment and could create harmful
health consequences. Products that were manufactured prior to 1977 that could contain PCBs include older
fluorescent lighting fixtures as well as electrical appliances that have PCB capacitors as well as old microscope
and hydraulic oil.
How do PCBs behave after they are exposed to the elements?
• PCBs travelled through the air as well as water and soil in the course of their creation or use and then
removal. They may result from leaks or spills that happen in their transportation, as well as from fires or
leaks in products that contain PCBs.
• PCBs are still released into the environment by hazardous waste sites and illegal or uninformed treatment
of waste from industrial processes as well as consumers' products. They can also leak from older electrical
transformers that contain PCBs and even burning some substances in burning incinerators.
• PCBs won't degrade easily in the atmosphere and can remain in place for lengthy period of time. PCBs are
able to travel for long distances in the air, and they can be placed in locations far from the point where
they were released. When in water, only a tiny quantity of PCBs might remain in solution, however, the
majority of them remain in organic matter as well as bottom sediments. PCBs are also extremely bonded to
soil.
• PCBs are absorbed by fish and small organisms in the water. They are also absorbed by other animals that
consume these animals as food. PCBs are found inside the fish as well as marine mammal, accumulating to
levels that could be times greater than those found in the water.
How can I be subjected to the PCBs?
• Utilizing old fluorescent lighting fixtures as well as electrical appliances and devices like refrigerators and
television sets, which were manufactured over 30 years ago. These products could release small quantities
of PCBs in the atmosphere when they become hot in operation and may be a cause of skin irritation.
• Consuming foods that are contaminated. The most significant food source for PCBs is fish. particularly
fishing caught by sport fishermen from contaminated rivers, lakes, as well as parts from Puget Sound. To
minimize the risk of exposure to contaminants found in fish, adhere to our advice on eating fish. PCBs can
also be found in dairy and meat products.
• Exposure to air pollution near dangerous waste sites and drinking wells that have been contaminated water.
• At work, during repairs or maintenance PCB transformers.
• Accidents, fires or spills caused by fluorescent lights, transformers and other electrical devices from the
past.
• Removal of PCB materials.
What are the effects of PCBs influence my health?
The most frequently observed health adverse effects of people who are exposed to large quantities of PCBs are
skin problems like acne and rashes. Studies on exposed workers have observed changes in urine and blood that
could be indicative of liver damage. PCB exposures to the general population aren't likely to cause any liver or
skin effects. The majority of the studies that examined health impacts on the health effects of PCBs for the
entire population looked at children of mothers who had been exposure to PCBs.
Animals who ate foods that contained massive quantities of PCBs for only a short time period experienced minor
liver damage, and some even died. Animals who consumed smaller amounts of PCBs in their diets over a period
of months or weeks experienced various types of health adverse effects, including acne-like skin conditions,
anemia and stomach, liver and thyroid gland damage. Other side effects that result from PCBs in animals are
changes to the body's immune system as well as behavioral changes and diminished reproduction. PCBs do not
appear to cause birth defects.
PCBs and Cancer
A few studies by researchers indicate that PCBs were linked to certain types of cancer in humans, including
cancer of the biliary tract and liver. Rats who ate foods that contained significant amounts of PCBs for two years,
developed liver cancer. It is believed that the Department of Health and Human Services has concluded that
PCBs can reasonably be expected to cause cancer. The EPA as well as the International Agency for Research on
Cancer have found that PCBs may be carcinogenic for human beings.
What is the impact of PCBs impact children?
Females who had been exposed to large amounts of PCBs in their work environments or ate large quantities of
fish that were contaminated by PCBs were born with babies who weighed just a bit less than those born to
women who didn't have the same exposures. Children born to mothers who consumed PCB-contaminated fish
had abnormal responses to test of the infant's behavior. Some of these issues like issues with motor skills, and
the loss of short-term memory, were observed for many years. Studies have also suggested an immune system
is affected in babies who were born to or nursed by mothers exposed to high amounts of PCBs. There is no
evidence of birth defects causing structural defects due to exposure to PCBs nor of health consequences of
PCBs in older children. The most likely route that infants are affected by PCBs is through breast
milk. Transplacental transfer of PCBs was also mentioned. In the majority of cases breastfeeding, the benefits
outweigh any risk of being exposed to PCBs in milk of mothers.
What can families do to reduce the risk of being exposed to PCBs?
• Children and you could get exposed to PCBs through eating fish in contaminated areas. To enjoy benefits
from the health benefits of eating fish and minimize your exposure to contaminants, make sure you follow
our recommendations for eating fish.
• Children are advised not to play with old electrical appliances, devices, and transformers because they
could contain PCBs.
• Children should not be playing in the dirt around hazardous waste sites as well as those areas that have an
explosion in a transformer. Also, children should be prevented from eating dirt or placing dirty hands, toys
or other objects into their mouths. They should clean their hands often.
• If you're exposed PCBs at work you can take them home on your body, clothes or other tools. Shower and
change your clothes before leaving for work and workplace clothes should be kept apart from other clothes
, and cleaned in a separate manner.
Do you have a test for medical purposes to confirm if my body has been exposed
PCBs?
Tests are available to determine the levels of PCBs in your body fat, blood and breast milk, but they aren't
routinely administered. A majority of people are found to have low levels of PCBs within their bodies due to the
fact that nearly everyone has been exposure to PCBs. Tests can reveal whether you have PCB levels are high that
could indicate previous exposure to higher levels of PCBs However, it is not able to determine how long or when
you were exposed to PCBs or whether you'll experience health adverse effects.
