Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Mammalian and Environmental Toxicology

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-X

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2. Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Environmental Occurrence and Analysis

   • S. Safe, L. Safe, M. Mullin

   Pages 1-13

3. Environmental Toxicology of Polychlorinated Biphenyls

   • L. G. Hansen

   Pages 15-48

4. Mammalian Biologic and Toxic Effects of PCBs

   • A. Parkinson, S. Safe

   Pages 49-75

5. Carcinogenic and Mutagenic Effects of PCBs

   • M. A. Hayes

   Pages 77-95

6. Biotransformation of PCBs: Metabolic Pathways and Mechanisms

   • I. G. Sipes, R. G. Schnellmann

   Pages 97-110

7. Physiologic Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Polychlorinated Biphenyls

   • R. J. Lutz, R. L. Dedrick

   Pages 111-131

8. PCBs and Human Health

   • S. Safe

   Pages 133-145

9. Back Matter

   Pages 147-152

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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).

• biphenyls
• chemistry
• ecology
• environment
• environmental occurrence
• health
• human health
• polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)
• polychlorinated biphenyls
• toxicology
• water quality and water pollution
• air pollution and air quality
• ecotoxicology

• Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, USA

  Stephen Safe

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