Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been a major pollutant of our atmosphere, sediment, water and infrastructure for decades. The production of Aroclor PCBs persisted in the United States until 1977. PCBs have been identified as a public health risk in respects to dietary consumption. PCB inhalation has been identified as a route for PCB exposure that is equally, if not greater, a risk especially to vulnerable populations, such as children. There are commercial mixtures of PCB compounds known as Aroclor. Of the 209 PCB congeners (types), several are known to cause increased cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and cognitive response depreciation. PCBs directly and disproportionally affect people in lower income districts that have older buildings and resources and past Superfund sites. These people tend to be from marginalized, minority communities. Thus, the remediation of PCB exposure is an environmental justice concern as well as a general public health concern.
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PCB Information: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
