Hazardous Chemicals

Polychlorinated biphenyl

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) are man made  chemicals consisting of carbons, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms. Due to their beneficial chemical properties, PCBs were widely used by industrial companies and applications. In 1979, PCBs were banned in the United States because of heightened health risks associated with PCB contamination. Currently PCBs are located in river sediments and floodplain soil.  As a result these chemicals can be found  in the fish and food that we eat. PCBs enter the air, water, and soil during manufacture and leaks from products created by the industrial companies. After entering into the environment, PCBs are hard to degrade due to their complex structure leading to bioaccumulation. Anyone who eats fish is at risk for PCB contamination and should learn how to reduce risks related to PCBs. Learning how to properly cook and clean fish is one way to reduce PCB consumption.

Helpful Links
http://www.epa.gov/housatonic/understandingpcbrisks.html#WhatArePCBs