Finishing First iFTI Bernie Mizula Answers Question on PCB

Bernie Mizula has been providing industrial hygiene consulting and training services in general practice for over 24 years. His professional practice includes chemical exposure assessment, indoor air quality (IAQ), occupational noise and vibration, health physics, heat and cold stress, ergonomics and the application of the Hierarchy of Controls. He joined the Finishing First and iFTI team in early 2020 to address jobsite health issues that that arise from hazards such as PCBs, lead and asbestos. 

This week he discusses PCB. Read more below the video and download a fact sheet HERE.

PCBs stand for Polychlorinated biphenyls.   These are a group of man-made chemicals that were originally manufactured by Anniston Ordnance Company, in Anniston, Alabama back in 1927 and Monsanto ultimately was responsible for 99% of PCB manufacturing in the U.S.   They were used as additives to many commercial and residential products including dielectric fluids (in transformers and electrical components) coatings, adhesives, caulking, and gaskets.   Some coatings and caulking can contain upwards of 100,000ppm.   Due to their toxicity to humans and the environment, they were banned by the EPA in 1979 under TSCA.  They are PCBs are classified as probable human carcinogens and are listed in the top 10% of EPA’s most toxic chemicals.   They cause a wide array of human health effects including affecting the nervous system, liver and kidney, reproductive system, respiratory illness (asthma), and developmental issues (there are more health effects than these)