What is PCB used for and how did it become a problem?

Answer 1

PCB's are a class of chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls. They are entirely man-made and do not occur naturally. They were used in many different types of products including hydraulic fluid, casting wax, pigments, carbonless copy paper, plasticizer, vacuum pumps, compressors, heat transfer systems and others. Their primary use, however, was as a dielectric fluid in electrical equipment

During the 1970's, the health risks associated with PCB's became a major consideration due to several well publicized incidents. The most noted of these is known as the Yusho Incident. It took place in Japan when a rice oil plant had an equipment leak of PCB fluid into the product. The rice oil was sold and consumed resulting in many people being adversely affected.


Among the health affects of PCB's are skin ailments called chloracne, reproductive disorders, liver disease and neurological problems in children. PCB's are a suspected human carcinogen and a known animal carcinogen. They are resistant to degradation and therefore persist for many years in the environment. Furthermore, they bioaccumulate in the foodchain and are stored in the body fat of animals and humans

Answer 2

Hi Kristen. The following is taken directly from the textbook noted below:

"Several decades ago, the low flammability of PCBs (PolyChlorinated Byphenyls) spawned their widespread industrial use as coolants for electrical and hydraulic equipment. During the 1960s and 1970s, they also found frequent use in the manufacturing of plastics, adhesives, inks, and dyes. When several regulatory organizations like the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) began to classify PCBs a occupational carcinogens, their widespread use in manufacturing rapidly decreased. However, they continue to be used in the manufacture of electrical equipment like transformers and capacitors, and persist in the environment in surprising amounts. During the past five years, PCBs have repeatedly been found in the fat cells and liver cells of adults, in fetal fat stores, and in the milk of nursing mothers."

Hope this is helpful for you. Best wishes.

Answer 3

http://www.pcb-copy.com/

Answer 4

PCB is used for electronic manufacturing services, electronic products.