Evaluating health risks from inhaled polychlorinated biphenyls: research needs for addressing uncertainty.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Indoor air concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in some buildings are one or more orders of magnitude higher than background levels. In response to this, efforts have been made to assess the potential health risk posed by inhaled PCBs. These efforts are hindered by uncertainties related to the characterization and assessment of source, exposure, and exposure-response.

Objectives

We briefly describe some common sources of PCBs in indoor air and estimate the contribution of inhalation exposure to total PCB exposure for select age groups. Next, we identify critical areas of research needed to improve assessment of exposure and exposure response for inhaled PCBs.

Discussion

Although the manufacture of PCBs was banned in the United States in 1979,

SUBMITTER: Lehmann GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4314250 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature