What are PCBs and what effects might they have on health and the environment?

PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects. PCBs have been shown to cause cancer in animals. PCBs have also been shown to cause a number of serious non-cancer health effects in animals, including effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other health effects. Studies in humans provide supportive evidence for potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of PCBs. The different health effects of PCBs may be interrelated, as alterations in one system may have significant implications for the other systems of the body.

For more information, please see EPA's Health Effects of PCBs Web page at
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/pubs/effects.htm

The Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) home page is located at: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/index.htm

Health effects information can also be found at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Web site:

ATSDR: ToxFAQs for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=140&tid=26

The following Web sites provide additional information on PCBs.

Drinking Water Consumer Factsheet on: Polychlorinated Biphenyls:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/pdfs/factsheets/soc/pcbs.pdf

Fish Advisories: Public Health Implications of Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs):
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/technical/pcb99.html

Air Toxics: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (Arochlors): Hazard Summary:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/polychlo.html

PCBs in Fluorescent Light Fixtures:
http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=50000RBO.txt

Several EPA Regional offices have PCB programs. You can determine your EPA regional office through the interactive map at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/regions.htm. Below are some of the regional Web pages:

Region 1- New England Topics: PCBs:
http://www.epa.gov/region1/topics/pollutants/pcbs.html

Region 2 - Hudson River PCBs: PCBs in the Environment:
http://www.epa.gov/hudson/env.htm

Region 3: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
http://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/ts_pcbs.htm

Region 4: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Program:
http://www.epa.gov/region4/rcra/PCBWebPage.htm

Region 8: Polychlorinated Biphenyls:
http://www.epa.gov/region8/toxics/pcb/index.html

Region 9: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs):
http://www.epa.gov/region9/pcbs/

Region 10: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/OWCM.NSF/webpage/Polychlorinated%20Biphenyls%20(PCBs)%20Homepage/

You can find contact information for EPA offices and staff on the PCBs Contact Us site, at
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/pubs/contactus.htm

Another resource is the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Hotline. Please note that as of October 1, 2007, the TSCA Hotline will only answer inquiries regarding the use of PCBs. Inquiries regarding the cleanup and disposal of PCBs and PCB wastes will be forwarded to the Office of Solid Waste for a response.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service provides technical assistance and information about substances regulated under the act and also provides copies of some TSCA-related publications.

You can read Frequent Questions about TSCA and submit a question at:
http://toxics.supportportal.com/

You can also reach the information service via mail, electronic mail, or telephone at the following address:

                    Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service
                    Mail Code: 7408M
                    Ariel Rios Building
                    1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                    Washington, DC 20460

                    tsca-hotline@epa.gov

                    (202) 554-1404

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