Polychlorinated biphenyls , Toxic concerning

The structural range of industrially important representatives of these groups is enormous, and includes chlorobenzenes (solvents), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (hydraulic and insulating fluids), and polybrominated biphenyls and diphenyl ethers (flame retardants). There is widespread concern over both the persistence and the potential toxicity of all these compounds, and sites that have become contaminated during their production represent a threat both to the environment and to human health. Pathways for the aerobic bacterial degradation of chlorobenzenes and chlorobiphe-nyls, and their brominated analogs have been discussed in Chapter 9, Part 1. 

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were manufactured by catalytic chlorination of biphenyl to produce complex mixtures, each containing 60-90 different PCB molecular species or congeners (see Chaps. 1 and 4). In the United States, PCB mixtures were manufactured by Monsanto under the trade name Aroclor and were widely used as dielectric fluids in capacitors and transformers from 1929 to 1978. PCBs are widespread contaminants of aquatic sediments and continue to be a focus of environmental concern because they tend to accumulate in biota and are potentially toxic. The following sections show the most effective bioremediation techniques applied to various PCB contaminated environments ... 

XZ/N VI RON MENTAL APPLICATIONS OF CHEMOMETRics are of interest because of the concern about the effects of chemicals on humans. The symposium upon which this book is based served as an important milestone in a process we, the editors, initiated in 1982. As members of the Environmental Protection Agency s Office of Toxic Substances (OTS), we have responsibilities for the acquisition and analysis of human and environmental exposure data in support of the Toxic Substances Control Act. OTS exposure studies invariably are complex and range from evaluating human body burden data (polychlorinated biphenyls in adipose tissue, for example) to documenting airborne asbestos levels in schools. 

NOTE Chlorine is widely used in the protection of drinking water, the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, crop pesticides, paper, rubbers, resins and plastics, and thousands of other products. Nevertheless, since the early 1990s, there has been a groundswell of opinion to either ban or severely limit the use of chlorine in all manners of processes. This is based on observations associated with the probable adverse effect to the environment from certain chlorinated organic chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and the insecticide DDT. There is also concern in a number of other areas, for example, that free chlorine may contribute to effluent toxicity due to the formation of chloramines and trihalomethanes (THMs). In the United States in 1993 to 1994, this opinion was fueled by the possibility that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would... 

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have attracted considerable attention in recent decades, owing to concern over their potential adverse effects in humans and wildlife, which are compounded by their ubiquitous environmental presence and resistance to degradation. Amongst the 75 possible PCDDs, 135 PCDFs and 209 PCBs, there exists wide variation in physicochemical properties, bioaccumulative tendencies and toxicity. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the basic structures and nomenclature of both PCDDs, PCDFs collectively referred to as PCDD/Fs-and PCBs. 

In this volume of Issues we address the sources, environmental cycles, uptake, consequences and control of many of the more important chlorinated organic micropollutants. Under this heading we have included a range of semi-volatile persistent compounds, notably polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) as well as a number of chlorinated pesticides. We have not sought to include volatile species such as CFCs which cause environmental problems of an entirely different nature. The compounds included in this volume cause no threat to the stratospheric ozone layer, but have given widespread cause for concern in relation to their environmental persistence and high toxicity, and their potential for adverse effects on humans and wildlife. 

Dioxin A family of chemicals with related properties and toxicity. There are 75 different dioxins, or polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) 135 different furans, or polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and 209 different polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Each different form is called a congener, a member of a family of compounds known chemically as dibenzo-p-dioxins. Concern about them arises from their potential toxicity as contaminants in commercial products. Tests on laboratory animals indicate that it is one of the more toxic anthropogenic (man-made) compounds a term used interchangeably with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or TCDD Disease prevention Measures used to prevent a disease or reduce its severity Dispersoids The particles of a dispersion... 

The Mixture of Concern Approach This approach can be used only if adequate toxicity data on the specific chemical mixture of concern are available. Having the data means that sufficient and appropriate experimental testing has been done and that the results are on record about this mixture s toxicity. This is the most direct and simplest approach, with the fewest uncertainties to derive a criterion or acceptable level for stable mixtures such as fuel oils, jet fuels, mixtures of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) [10]. However, working from available data may leave uncertainties about the precise composition of a mixture undetermined. Very few mixtures other than those mentioned above have been studied adequately for toxicity assessment. Hence this data-mining approach is the least frequently used method. 

Polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs ) have been manufactured and used commercially for 50 years because of their chemical stability, fire resistance, and electrical resistance properties. PCBs are frequently used in electrical transformers and capacitors. However, concern has been expressed that PCBs may be toxic to humans and to wildlife. Because of these concerns, the major American manufacturer of PCBs limited its sales of PCBs after 1972 to manufacturers of transformers and capacitors and then in 1977 ceased all manufacture of PCBs and shipped the last of its inventory. Today, PCBs are produced in this country only as incidental byproducts of industrial chemical processes. There are known natural sources of PCBs. 

EXPLOSION and FIRE CONCERNS nonflammable liquid may bum but does not ignite readily containers may explode when heated exposure in a fire results in the formation of a black soot containing polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins contact with strong oxidizers may cause fires and explosions toxic gases and vapors, such as hydrogen ehloride and carbon monoxide, may be released in a fire use dry chemical, foam or carbon dioxide for firefighting purposes. 

---