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polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)
Uses:
- widely used as dielectric & coolant fluids, in transformers, capacitors, & electric motors
Pharmacokinetics:
- long half life (8-10 years)
Adverse effects:
- chloracne, rash & unusual skin sores
- hepatoxic
- fatigue, headaches, coughs
- in children, reports of poor cognitive development
Notes:
- due to PCBs' toxicity & classification as a persistent organic pollutant, PCB production was banned by the United States Congress in 1979 & by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001
- current maximum containment levels as stated by the EPA for PCBs in drinking water systems is 0.5 ppb
- readily penetrate skin, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), & latex
Related
polychlorinated biphenyl in specimen
General
halogenated hydrocarbon
toxin (hazardous material, poison)
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM correlations
References
- Wikipedia: Polychlorinated biphenyl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenyl