Health hazards, photochemical

Photochemical Treatment of PCB Reduce Health Hazard As with any new technological process, and particularly in the decontamination of hazardous materials, potential health consequences need to be considered. Photochemical or other treatment processes for PCB may reduce or increase potential hazard because the composition and isomer distribution is altered. In the case of PCB three situations require special attention 1) the potential for photochemical formation of PCDF and PCDD or other extremely toxic products 2) the selective photochemical destruction of these substances in PCB mixtures and 3) shifts in PCB congener distribution to structures with exceptional toxicity. 

The formation of photochemical smog in the industrial belt reduces the visibility and causes health hazards such as headache, eye irritation, cough, bronchial, other respiratory problems, and pulmonary edema (accumulation of fluids in lungs). These pollutants also create irritations in lungs. 

Low concentrations of VOCs in ambient ah of 1 to 1,000 ppmv (parts per million based on volume) are often harmful to human health. VOCs also promote the photochemical formation of ozone and other contaminants, and in high concentrations are a fire hazard. These severe environmental implications have resulted in increasingly stringent legislation in the U.S.A. and elsewhere to limit release of VOCs into the atmosphere. Control technologies for VOCs release include combustion and vapor recovery. Vapor recovery is preferred as combustion may result in the production of other air pollutants, and destroy valuable VOCs. 

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