Two different systems are used for naming PCBs. Section 1 Executive summary and Section 4, Sources of human and environmental exposure Concise international chemical assessment document 55 Polychlorinated biphenyls : Human health aspects. PCBs can also evaporate from contaminated water bodies, such as the North American Great Lakes.The incineration of municipal waste may lead to PCB pollution and produce dangerous by-products, such as hydrogen chloride (HCl) and dioxins ( PCDDs and PCDFs).This environmental contamination may continue to occur due to the disposal of old electrical equipment containing PCBs. Landfills containing transformers, capacitors, and other PCB waste can release PCBs into the air.Since 1929 around 2 million tonnes of PCBs have been produced, about 10% of which still remain in the environment today. PCBs have also been used in wide range of products such as plasticizers, surface coatings, inks, adhesives, flame-retardants, paints, and carbonless duplicating paper. The commercial production of PCBs started in 1929 but their use has been banned or severely restricted in many countries since the 1970s and 80s because of the possible risks to human health and the environment.Īs PCBs are resistant to acids and bases as well as to heat, they have been used as an insulating material in electric equipment, such as transformers and capacitors, and also in heat transfer fluids and in lubricants.
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