Polychlorinated biphenyls terrestrial

UV filters are currently considered as emerging environmental contaminants of increasing concern since most of the commonly used are known to cause endocrine disrupting effects in both aquatic and terrestrial organisms as well as in human skin cells [4]. These compounds bioaccumulate in fish at similar levels to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT [5, 6]. 

Kannan, N., S. Tanabe, M. Ono, and R. Tatsukawa. 1989. Critical evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyl toxicity in terrestrial and marine mammals increasing impact of non-ortho and mono-ortho coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls from land to ocean. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18 850-857. 

Chlorobiphenyls (CBs) are used widely by industry, including transformers and capacitors in the electrical industry and inks, paints and paper in the printing and allied industries. Unwanted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) formulations and waste materials containing PCBs are normally incinerated. However, PCBs and waste products containing these materials are inadvertently or illegally disposed of at dump sites and landfill sites. Unsealed PCB sources are leached into the terrestrial and aquatic environment and incomplete combustion vaporises these compounds into the atmosphere therefore, they enter the wider global cycle of trace organic compounds and ubiquitous environmental contaminants that occur in bovine milk, milk powders and products as a result of intake via animal feed. 

Fitzpatrick, L.C., R. Sassani, B.J. Venables, and A.J. Goven. 1992. Comparative toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls to the earthworms Eisenia foetida and Lumbriculus terrestris. Environ. Pollut. 77 65-69. 

Johnson MS et al., Bioaccumulation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and polychlorinated biphenyls through two routes of exposure in a terrestrial amphibian Is the dermal route significant , Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 18, 873, 1999. 

The ubiquity of PCBs is indicated by then-presence in environmental samples from the polar regions of air, snow, ice, water, and in living organisms. The presence of PCBs in such remote areas suggests the importance of atmospheric transport. The Committee on the Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Environment estimated that 50-80% of the PCBs derived from the United States were now in sediments and waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Of the estimated total world PCB production of 1.2 million tons to date, about 374,000 tons are now in various portions of the terrestrial, coastal, and open ocean ecospheres (Table 25.1). Another 783,(XX) tons are still in use in electrical equipment and other products or deposited in landfills and dumps and represent a potential source of... 

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