Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Contaminated fish and animal-derived foods, older electrical transformers and capacitors, building sealants, paints, indoor dust, contaminated soil, water, and sediments.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of 209 related synthetic chemicals that were widely used in electrical equipment, industrial fluids, building materials, and other commercial applications because of their chemical stability and resistance to heat. Although PCB production has been banned or severely restricted in many countries, these chemicals remain in older equipment, buildings, and contaminated environments. PCBs can persist for long periods and accumulate in the food chain, particularly in fish and animal-derived foods. Exposure can occur through contaminated food, soil, air, and dust, as well as contact with older materials containing PCBs. PCBs are listed under Annex A and Annex C of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, addressing elimination of production and use and reduction of unintentional releases. Examples include individual PCB congeners such as PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-101, PCB-118, PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180, as well as historical commercial mixtures sold under the trade name Aroclor. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are regulated under Annexes A and C of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which establish measures to eliminate their production and use, manage existing PCB-containing equipment, and reduce unintentional releases. They are also covered under the European Union's Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, which restricts their manufacture, use, and placing on the market and establishes requirements for managing PCB-containing waste. These regulations recognize that PCBs remain in older electrical equipment, building materials, and contaminated environments despite longstanding restrictions.