Tests find consumer products, including packaging, tainted with toxic PCBs

Some consumer products contain toxic PCBs, according to a report released by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Tests of 68 consumer products confirmed that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are present in commonly used items. The study focused on four PCB types that previous studies have linked to pigments and dyes.
Items tested in the study include paper products, paints and colorants, caulking, printer ink, and some product packaging. 49 (72%) of the products contained at least one of four PCB types. Concentrations in each product are low. However, the large number of products that contain PCBs add up to significant releases to the environment (Department of Ecology News Release, 7 August 2014).
Click here for the news release.
Click here for the report (2.50 MB).

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