Toxic Effects Profiles

AccuChem PCBs - Serum

Overview

What are PCBs?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used as lubricants and coolants in transformers, capacitors, and electronic equipment because of a high resistance to heat. Due to the stability of PCBs, unfortunately they also do not break down in the environment and bioaccumulate in animals and humans.

PCBs were banned from use in the US in 1979 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, due to the persistence of PCBs in the environment, PCBs continue to leach into soil and groundwater from hazardous waste sites and landfills. Since PCBs bioaccumulate, we are exposed through our food chain by eating fish, meat, and dairy products, especially from areas of the country considered contaminated.

Symptoms of PCB exposure:

• Severe acne
• RashEye irritation
• Liver damage
• Weakened immune system
• Chemical sensitivity
• Allergies
• Obesity
• Fatigue
• Certain cancers
• Developmental disorders

Symptoms of PCB exposure in children:

• Impaired neurological development such as
• Abnormal behavior responses
• Decreased motor skills
• Decreased short-term memory
• Decreased intelligence
• Lowered immune system
• AllergiesChronic infections
• Chemical sensitivity

 Sources of PCB exposure:

• Consuming contaminated food such as fish, meat, dairy products
• Drinking contaminated well water
• Living near hazardous waste sites
• Using old fluorescent lighting fixtures or electronics
• Working with PCB transformers, hydraulic fluids, and other PCB-containing compounds 

Why Perform Polychlorinated Biphenyl Testing?

Once PCBs enter the body, they are absorbed by our fat cells and stored. Since PCBs are not water-soluble, they are not excreted from the body and accumulate over a person's lifetime, increasing that person's body burden of PCBs. Polychlorinated biphenyl testing can help you determine the extent of this PCB burden.

In adults, a heavy burden of PCBs over time can cause impairments in the brain, nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system, and may cause fertility issues.

A PCB burden affects children more than adults. PCBs are most often passed to children through breastfeeding and trans-placental transfer. PCB exposure in children can impede neurobehavioral and immune system development. These impediments may cause delayed neurobehavioral development such as motor skills, short-term memory, and lower scores on intelligence, psychomotor, and behavioral tests. A lowered immune system can create many problems in children including allergies, sensitivities, and chronic infections.

All content courtesy of Metametrix Inc. c 2009 Metametrix Inc. All rights reserved.