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

More general terms

• halogenated hydrocarbon
• toxin (hazardous material, poison)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=36187
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=36400
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=36231
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=40470
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=63090
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=38018
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=6766
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=25472