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Top rated, 2004-2007

At EWG, our team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers pores over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and our own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Our research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know.

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Chemical Families

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs are persistent contaminants that impact the brain, nervous and hormone systems. PCBs were banned in the 1970s but despite the ban, human exposure continues from fatty foods. EWG is working to clean up food fed to farmed salmon, which contain high concentrations of these chemicals.

EWG Research on Chemicals in Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)


Related News Clips on Chemicals in Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)


Health Effects related to Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): Brain and nervous system, Endocrine system, Cancer, Reproduction and fertility, Birth or developmental effects, Persistent and bioaccumulative, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)

Routes of Exposure related to Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):

  • Environment: agriculture
  • Food: fatty foods, fish
  • Found in people
  • Miscellaneous: electrical insulators, electrical transformers
  • Water: sewage sludge

Related Chemicals

pcbs (1016/1242), pcb-1232, pcb-1221, pcb-1016, dichlorobiphenyl, pcb-1260, pcb 1262, pcb-1254, pcb-1248, pcb-1242, view all...