PCBs and Protecting the Environment and Communities from Exposure Risks

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were first manufactured in the United States back in 1929 and were used extensively until their production was banned in 1979. This broad group of manmade chemicals was used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications during that time due to their chemical stability, electrical insulating properties, high boiling point, and non-flammability.
 
Unfortunately, PCBs have been found to cause a wide range of adverse health effects and do not readily break down in the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that PCBs can remain for long periods cycling between air, water, and soil. The agency also states they can accumulate over time in plants and animals exposed to these chemicals.  
 
Environmental and human exposure risks to PCBs can be found in many parts of the world. In the U.S., PCBs can be detected at numerous former industrial facilities, Superfund sites, and polluted waterways. Just recently there have been articles about concerns associated with PCB cleanup efforts in the Hudson River in New York and the Housatonic River in Massachusetts.  
 
“Due to the fact that PCBs break down extremely slowly in the environment and were used by industry in so many applications, exposure issues for humans and the environment are still an issue 40 years after their production was banned in the U.S.,” said Dirk Yamamoto, PhD, CIH^® and Chair of ABIH^®. “One group working diligently to help identify and mitigate environments at risk from PCBs are Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs). The elite environmental professionals who have earned the QEP^® credential have demonstrated a broad understanding of environmental science, along with a commitment to high standards of practice and ethics. QEPs are available to investigate, manage, and mitigate issues associated with PCBs and a broad range of other environmental hazards.”
 
To learn more about the Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP^®) credential or Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) designation, or to locate a professional to perform PCB or other environmental services, visit www.IPEP.org, email ipep@IPEP.org , or call (517) 853-5766.
 
About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene ^®
Since 1960, ABIH^®, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world’s largest organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH^® is the premier credentialing body responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance, and ethics enforcement. ABIH^® administers the Certified Industrial Hygienist^® (CIH^®) program, the Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP^®) credential for established environmental practitioners, and the Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) designation for early-career practitioners. Currently, more than 7,600 people around the world hold the CIH^® credential, QEP^® credential, or EPI designation. 
 

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Paul Cochrane

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