Polychlorinated Biphenyls Pcbs Mammalian And Environmental Toxicology

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been produced commercially since be fore 1930. They proved to be highly versatile mixtures and their uses continued to expand during the early 1970's even after the unanticipated world-wide en vironmental contamination had been discovered (Jensen et aI. , 1969; Koeman et aI. , 1969). Over 600,000 metric-tons were produced and/or used in the U. S. during this time and it is estimated that worldwide production totaled about 1,200,000 metric-tons (Table 1). With low acute toxicities (Fishbein, 1974), these mixtures were considered gen erally biologically inactive even though industrial exposure had demonstrated he patic and dermatological effects (Fishbein, 1974; Hansen, 1987). Thus, use and disposal were not carefully monitored and it is estimated that one-third of the world-wide production of PCBs has been released into the global environment (Table 1). Table 1. Estimated production and disposition of PCBs b U. s. a Worldwide 6 6 Production/use 610 X 10 kg 1200 X 10 kg Mobil environmental reservoir 82 400 Static reservoirs In service 340 Dumps 130 Total static 470 800 a NAS, 1979 b Tatsukawa and Tanaba, 1984 2 Environmental Distribution Many countries now impose strict controls on the use and release of PCBs. Re lease into the environment has declined dramatically in the last decade, but con tinued release from reservoirs (Table 1) into burdened ecosystems (Table 2) ap pears inevitable for several more decades (Barros et aI. , 1984).

The concern about environmental toxins is ever increasing, as is the need for sound scientific information. The "Environmental Toxin Series" is dedicated to the publication of comprehensive reviews and monographs on compounds or classes of chemicals which are of importance in environmental toxicology. The series is designed to serve as a background of information for scientific investigation as well as risk analysis and political decision making. The main aim of the series is to describe in as complete a way as possible all potentially hazardous chemicals from the point of view of chemistry, ecology, toxicology, risk analysis and regulatory implications. From time to time conference proceedings on important and urgent topics will be included in the series. We thank the members of the editorial board for their enthusiastic support.

The concern about environmental toxins is ever increasing, as is the need for sound scientific information. The "Environmental Toxin Series" is dedicated to the publication of comprehensive reviews and monographs on compounds or classes of chemicals which are of importance in environmental toxicology. The series is designed to serve as a background of information for scientific investigation as well as risk analysis and political decision making. The main aim of the series is to describe in as complete a way as possible all potentially hazardous chemicals from the point of view of chemistry, ecology, toxicology, risk analysis and regulatory implications. From time to time conference proceedings on important and urgent topics will be included in the series. We thank the members of the editorial board for their enthusiastic support.

Though polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been banned in the United States for more than thirty years, the toxic effects of their presence in local environments continue to be a significant public health concern. PCBs: Human and Environmental Disposition and Toxicology brings together more than fifty established specialists on PCB toxicity to discuss recent trends and specialized investigations of PCB influences on the environment and on humans. Renowned scientists including Paul S. Cooke, Takeshi Nakano, Tomas Trnovec, Deborah C. Rice, Linda S. Birnbaum, and Charles S. Wong present cutting-edge research on Hudson River PCBs, human contamination, homologue profiles, high PCB exposure in Slovakia, and PCB effects on the thyroid hormone, nutrition, and estrogen levels in humans and animals. Focusing on the detection, movement, metabolism, toxicity, remediation, and risk assessment of PCB contamination, this multi-disciplinary study is a valuable resource for regulatory agencies and scientists working with PCBs.

In April 2000 researchers from around the world met in Lexington, Kentucky to bring together the very latest information on the chemistry and biological effects of the environmental pollutants known as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). The result is a comprehensive and extensive treatment of the very latest findings on all significant subjects relating to PCBs and their health risks. The thorough introduction and sixty-two scientific papers presented here represent the most up-to-date research by scientists in government, private industry, and academia.

Investigating the effects of PCB toxicity on humans and the environment