PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) are a mixture of individual chemicals which are no longer produced in the United States, but are still found in the environment. Health effects that have been associated with exposure to PCBs include acne-like skin conditions in adults and neurobehavioral and immunological changes in children. PCBs are known to cause cancer in animals.
These health effects are generally associated with exposure to 1) large amounts of PCBs as in an industrial setting where people are working directly with PCBS; or 2) children whose mothers were exposed to PCBs while pregnant.
Most of us have PCBs in our bodies, because small amounts of PCBs are very common in our environment. A very common way that we get PCBs in our bodies is through the fish that we eat. Fish easily store PCBs in their tissues, and when we eat the fish we eat small amounts of PCBs.
In Washington and most other states, there are fish consumption advisories that recommend limiting the amount of certain species of fish. To learn about fish consumption advisories in Washington State and King County, consult the Washington State Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Health Assessments. The telephone number is 877-485-7316. Their website address is: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/fish/fishadvisories.htm
To learn more about PCBs, visit the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and an EPA Region 10 website for specific information on PCBs in fluorescent light fixtures.
South Park Remediation Project
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Learn more about our work with the City of Seattle government on the South Park Remediation Project.
