ATSDR - Toxicological Profile: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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Toxicological Profile for

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

November 2000

TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE INFORMATION:

The ATSDR toxicological profile succintly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for the hazardous substance described here. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a hazardous substance's toxicologic properties. Other pertinent literature is also presented, but is described in less detail than the key studies. The complete list of topics covered (chapter titles) is shown at the left and in more detail further down this page.

The focus of the profile is on health and toxicologic information. Therefore, each profile begins with a Public Health Statement that summarizes in nontechnical language, a substance's relevant properties.

A useful two page information sheet, the ToxFAQs ^TM, is also available.

TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE ACCESS (PDF files):

In order to access the ATSDR toxicological profiles' PDF files below, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader .

You may download that program for free from this link to Adobe

and then use it to access (open) the files below that are labeled as PDF files.

TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE CONTENTS:

The table of contents and list of individual PDF files are given below. The whole profile in one large PDF file is here: PDF File 6.0M

PREFACE    PDF File   200k
       Foreword
       Quick reference for health care providers
       Contributors
       Peer review
       Contents
       List of figures
       List of tables

1. PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT     PDF File   300k
       1.1    What are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)?
       1.2    What happens to PCBs when they enter the environment
                     through the environment?
       1.3    How might I be exposed to PCBs?
       1.4    How can PCBs enter and leave my body?
       1.5    How can PCBs affect my health?
       1.6    How can PCBs affect children?
       1.7    How can families reduce the risk of exposure to PCBs?
       1.8    Is there a medical test to determine whether I have
                     been exposed to PCBs?
       1.9    What recommendations has the federal government
                     made to protect human health?
       1.10    Where can I get more information?

2. RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH    PDF File 500k
       2.1    Background and environmental exposures to PCBS in U.S.
       2.2    Summary of health effects
       2.3    Minimal risk levels

3. HEALTH EFFECTS    PDF File 3.0M
       3.1    Introduction
       3.2    Discussion of health effects
       3.3    Health effects in wildlife potentially relevant to human health
       3.4    Toxicokinetics
       3.5    Mechanism of action
       3.6    Endocrine disruption
       3.7    Children's susceptibility
       3.8    Biomarkers of exposure and effect
       3.9    Interactions with other chemicals
       3.10    Populations that are unusually susceptible
       3.11    Methods for reducing toxic effects
       3.12    Adequacy of the database

4. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION    PDF File 500k
       4.1    Chemical identity
       4.2    Physical and chemical properties

5. PRODUCTION, IMPORT/EXPORT, USE, AND DISPOSAL                                                                                        PDF File 500k
       5.1    Production
       5.2    Import/export
       5.3    Use
       5.4    Disposal

6. POTENTIAL FOR HUMAN EXPOSRUE    PDF File 300k
       6.1    Overview
       6.2    Releases to the environment
       6.3    Environmental fate
       6.4    Levels monitored or estimated in the environment
       6.5    General population and occupational exposure
       6.6    Exposures of children
       6.7    Populations with potentially high exposures
       6.8    Adequacy of the database

7. ANALYTICAL METHODS    PDF File 300k
       7.1    Biological samples
       7.2    Environmental samples
       7.3    Adequacy of the database

8. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES PDF File 300k

9. REFERENCES PDF File 100k

10. GLOSSARY PDF File 200k

APPENDICES    PDF File 500k
       A.    ATSDR Minimal risk levels and worksheets
       B.    User�s guide
       C.    Acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols
       D.    Index
       E.    Summary report for the expert panel review of April 13, 2000

Reference

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2000. Toxicological profile for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

Disclaimer

All ATSDR toxicological profile PDF files are electronic conversions from paper copy or other electronic ASCII text files. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors. Users are referred to the original paper copy of the toxicological profile for the official text, figures, and tables. Original paper copies can be obtained via the directions on the toxicological profile home page , which also contains other important information about the profiles.

Where can I get more information?

ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

For more information, contact:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-422-8737
FAX: (404)498-0057

ATSDR Information Center / ATSDRIC@cdc.gov / 1-888-422-8737

This page was updated on May 25, 2001