Cited by 494Toxic Organic Pollutants ImpactEffects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicalsPesticide Exposure and Toxicity

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Routes of Exposure and Effects on Human Health

Carpenter, David O.·2006·Reviews on Environmental Health

Abstract

The polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organochlorine chemicals that were useful industrial products in the past, but their production was ended because they persist in both the environment and living organisms. The PCBs are mixtures of up to 209 different components (congeners), depending on the number and position of chlorines around the biphenyl ring. The PCBs are fat-soluble substances to which everyone is exposed through ingesting animal fats, inhalation, or dermal contact. Exposure to PCBs suppresses the immune system, thereby increasing the risk of acquiring several human diseases. Both ortho-substituted and coplanar (dioxin-like) congeners are tumor promoters that enhance the effects of other carcinogenic substances. PCB exposure, especially during fetal and early life, reduces IQ and alters behavior. The PCBs alter thyroid and reproductive function in both males and females and increase the risk of developing cardiovascular and liver disease and diabetes. Women are at high risk of giving birth to infants of low birth weight, who are at high lifetime risk for several diseases. As knowledge of their toxic effects has grown faster than environmental levels have declined, PCBs remain dangerous contaminants.

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Crossref · 10.1515/reveh.2006.21.1.1

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  • The weight of evidence from epidemiological studies supports a negative association between developmental exposure to PCBs and neuropsychological function in infancy and childhood.

    “The weight of evidence from epidemiological studies supports a negative association between developmental exposure to PCBs and neuropsychological function in infancy and childhood [ 56 , 95–99 ].”

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Authors
Carpenter, D. O.
Affiliations
University at Albany, State University of New York (US)
Corresponding author
Carpenter, David O.
Venue
Reviews on Environmental Health
Published
2006-01
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
1-24
ISSN
  • 0048-7554 (ISSN-L)
  • 2191-0308
OpenAlex
W2062948983
Cited by
494
References
154
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 37
FWCI
1.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Reviews on Environmental Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity
Keywords
polychlorinated biphenyls, PCB congeners, human exposure pathways, dietary exposure, immunosuppression, tumor promotion, developmental neurotoxicity, thyroid function, reproductive toxicity, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, low birth weight, organochlorine contaminants
MeSH terms
Chronic Disease, Environmental Exposure, Health Status, Humans, Infections, Neoplasms, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, United States, Water Pollution, Chemical, Risk Assessment

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