The Environment And Effect On Human Health Environmental Sciences Essay

Polychlorinated Biphenyls are a group of manmade chemicals. They make up a group of two hundred and nine person chlorinated biphenyl rings, known as congeners. In the concentrated signifier, PCBs are oily liquids, oily solids, and clear to yellow in colour. ( EPA, 2012 ) . They have no odor or gustatory sensation. ( EPA, 2012 ) . They are really stable mixtures that are immune to extreme temperature and force per unit area. They have a low grade of responsiveness. PCBs are non flammable, have high electrical opposition, and are good dielectrics. ( Barbalace, 2002 ) PCBs were seen as an industrial discovery, because of its chemical belongingss. Before their prohibition in 1979, Polychlorinated biphenyls entered the environment during their industry and us in the United States. The organic chemicals were foremost manufactured by Monsanto in 1929. Prior to their prohibition, PCBs were used in 100s of industrial and commercial applications, as electrical dielectrics. Uses for PCBS included transformers, electrical equipment, hydraulic fluids, oil based pigment, carbonless C paper, compressors, heat transportation systems, pigments, adhesives, liquid cooled electric motors, fluorescent bulbs, overseas telegram insularity, plastic, and the list goes on. ( EPA, 2012 ) . Domestic utilizations included cereal boxes and bread negligees. Because of its function in prevent fires and an detonation, the chemical was required by fire codification. PCBs were seen as the ideal dielectric for companies and consumers. The qualities that make PCBs wanted by consumers and companies are besides the 1s that make it risky to the environment and human wellness. PCBs ‘ high thermal and chemical opposition means they do non interrupt down easy when exposed to heat or chemical interventions doing it to be difficult to acquire out of the environment. Since they do non interrupt down they remain in the environment and go on to construct up. Today, the chemicals can still be released in the environment through spills, leaks, and improper disposal and storage. More than half of the PCBs produced during 1929-1979 have been released into the environment. ( Barbalace, 2012 ) . Although PCBs are no longer commercially manufactured or widely used, there are still ways people can be exposed to concentrated Polychlorinated Biphenyls. The most common exposures include through nutrient, surface dirts, imbibing and land H2O, indoor air, and in the workplace. PCBs are an organic pollutant. Companies that used the substance contaminated the environment through its utilizations and disposals. In 1935, the Monsanto Company purchased the Theodore Swann chemical company and began fabricating PCBs in the United States. Monsanto continued to bring forth PCBs at its Anniston works until 1971. ( Lyons, 2004 ) . During its 40 old ages of fabricating PCBs as an electrical dielectric, the Monsanto Company flushed 10s of 1000s of lbs of PCBs into nearby brook and buried 1000000s more lbs in a hillside landfill. ( Lyons, 2004 ) . The Monsanto Company was sued by 1000s of current and former occupants of Anniston, who claim the company was cognizant of the dangers posed by PCBs and actively schemed to conceal this information from the nearby populace. ( Firestone, 2002 ) . In 1966, Monsanto directors discovered fish near the waste sites turned belly side up spirting blood and tear uping tegument, within 10 seconds of the PCBs disposal. ( Firestone, 2002 ) . The company hid their findings. In 1969, fish were found with 7500 times the legal PCB degree. ( Grunwald, 2002 ) . Company records reveal the company ‘s determination that â€Å" there was no ground to travel to expensive extremes in restricting discharge organize the works † . ( Grunwald, 2002 ) . The company was ordered to pay $ 53 million in killing cost and agreed to a planetary colony affecting current and future instances in Alabama. ( Lyons, 2004 ) . There are legion known contaminated sites around the U.S. Among the most unsafe of these, A is the Hudson River Valley. In 1947-1977, General Electric ( GE ) began dumping PCB in the river. By the prohibition in 1979, an estimated 1.3 million lbs of the man-made chemical had entered the Hudson river. The Hudson River was contaminated with PCB pollution. Twenty old ages subsequently, functionaries still have to cover with the environmental consequence of PCBs in the bedrocks of the Hudson River. ( Mele, 1998 ) . PCBs are now found throughout the Hudson River ecosystem, in in deposit, H2O, and wildlife. ( Mele, 1998 ) . The spread of PCBs throughout the Hudson River and the nutrient concatenation has created one of the most widespread, risky waste jobs in the nation.A The EPA ordered the General Electric Company to pay 460 million dollars to dredge the PCBs it had dumped into the Hudson River. ( Grunwald, 2002 ) . The Environmental Protection Agency Prevention regulates PCBs through the Toxic Substances Control Act ( TSCA ) . The Act bans the usage, distribution, industry, and processing of PCBs. TSCA gives EPA the authorization to develop and implement ordinances refering the industry, usage, killing, and proper disposal of PCBs. ( EPA, 2012 ) . Through the environment, worlds came into contact with the chemical. Polychlorinated Biphenyls are linked to legion wellness jeopardy. It has an acute toxic affect. Skin annoyances can happen in people exposed to high degrees of PCBs. Studies in the workplace suggest that exposure to PCBs may besides do annoyance of the nose and lungs. PCBs are a likely human carcinogen. EPAA?s ordinances on cancer-causing chemicals use the term `probableA? when a chemical is known to do malignant neoplastic disease in animate beings and where there is grounds that suggests that it causes malignant neoplastic disease in worlds but which is non conclusive. Surveies of PCBs in worlds have found increased rates of malignant neoplastic disease patients that may be connected to the man-made chemical. PCBs are known to do a assortment of types of malignant neoplastic disease in rats, mice, and other survey animate beings. ( EPA, 2012 ) Polychlorinated Biphenyls are linked to developmental effects. Proper development of the nervous system is critical for early acquisition and can hold potentially important deductions for the wellness of persons throughout their life-times. ( EPA, 2012 ) . Womans exposed to PCBs before or during gestation can give birth to kids with important neurological and motor control jobs. These jobs include lowered IQ and hapless short-run memory. ( EPA, 2012 ) . PCBs disrupt endocrine map. PCBs with merely a few Cl atoms can mime the bodyA?s natural endocrines. PCBs are besides thought to play a function in decreased sperm figure, reformed sex variety meats, pubescence, and altered sex ratios of kids. PCBs with more Cl atoms act like dioxins in changing the metamorphosis of sex steroids in the organic structure, which change the normal degrees of estrogens and testosterone. PCBs besides upset the balance of thyroid endocrines, which may impact the growing, rational, and behavioural development. ( EPA, 2012 ) . PCBs are found throughout the environment, and it may be impossible to avoid coming into contact with Polychlorinated Biphenyls. Peoples can seek avoiding contact with contaminated dirts and deposits. ( Wisconsin, 2012 ) . Practice good hygiene wonts. Restrict their ingestion of sport-caught fish. Wash fruits and veggies before eating them. Besides, if any member of the family works with old electrical equipment be certain the equipment is decently maintained and the country is good ventilated. ( Wisconsin, 2012 ) . Polychlorinated Biphenyls are a chemical that will non travel off. The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking their best to free the environment of its effects. The features of the man-made drug cause it to be transported easy and difficult to interrupt down. The drug has caused damaged to the environment, and the people around the environment. Polychlorinated Biphenyls will hold a lifetime consequence on the environment and people. Beginnings Barbalace, Roberta C. â€Å" The Chemistry of Polychlorinated Biphenyls. â€Å" A : PCB, The Manmade Chemicals That Wo n't Travel Away ( EnvironmentalChemistry.com ) . N.p. , n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2012. & lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/chemistry/pcb.html & gt ; . Environmental Protection Agency. â€Å" Polychlorinated Biphenyls. â€Å" A EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. & lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/index.htm & gt ; . Firestone, David. â€Å" Alabama Jury Says Monsanto Polluted Town. â€Å" A The New York Times. N.p. , 23 Feb. 2002. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. & lt ; Alabama Jury Says Monsanto Polluted Town & gt ; . Grunwald, Michael. â€Å" Monsanto Held Liable For PCB Dumping. â€Å" A The Washington Post. Raw Food Info, 23 Feb. 2002. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. & lt ; Monsanto Held Liable For PCB Dumping & gt ; . Lyon, Steve. â€Å" PCB Pollution in Anniston, Alabama. † Reading.A Commonweal. Professor Raquel Pinderhughes. San Francisco State Unversity. Urban Studies and Environmental Programs, 2004. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. & lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.commonweal.org/programs/brc/ppt-presentations/Anniston_AL_PCB.pdf & gt ; . â€Å" Human Health Hazards – PCBs and Your Health. â€Å" A Human Health Hazards – PCBs and Your Health. N.p. , n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. & lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/hlthhaz/fs/pcblink.htm & gt ; . The Hudson River PCB Story – A Toxic Heritage. Dir. Andy Mele. W. Alton Jones Foundation, 1998. Short Film.A The Hudson River PCB Story – A Toxic Heritage. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. & lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.clearwater.org/pcb.html & gt ; . â€Å" What Are The Human Health Effects Of PCBs? â€Å" A What Are The Human Health Effects Of PCBs? A N.p. , n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. & lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.clearwater.org/news/pcbhealth.html & gt ; .