Polychlorinated biphenyls, carcinogen risk

WHO (World Health Organization) 1978. IARC monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybromin-ated biphenyls. 18, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland. 

A number of environmental contaminants (e.g., some organo-chlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) cause cancer in laboratory animals. The committee found no epidemiological evidence to suggest that these compounds individually make a major contribution to the risk of cancer in humans. However, the possibility that they may act synergistically and may thereby create a greater carcinogenic risk cannot be excluded. 

IARC (1978) Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyls. Lyon, France, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 140 pp (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans, Vol 18)... 

Levels of exposure associated with carcinogenic effects (Cancer Effect Levels, CELs) of polychlorinated biphenyls are indicated in Table 3-2 and Eigure 3-2. Because cancer effects could occur at lower exposure levels, Eigure 3-2 also shows a range for the upper bound of estimated excess risks, ranging from a risk of 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 10,000,000 (lO to 10 ), as developed by EPA. 

Most wastewater streams contain significant amounts of carcinogenic, toxic, mutagenic, or genotoxic substances in addition to conventional pollutants. These harmful compounds originate from industrial processes and households. Some of these toxic chemicals may also exhibit endocrine-disrupting effects. Therefore, organic micropollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), nonylphenol, xenobiotics, dioxins, pesticides, and heavy metals create important environmental health risks [3-7]. 

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