US EPA

4785832 

Book/Book Chapter 

Chapter 39 - Polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans 

Kodavanti, PRS; Valdez, J; Yang, JH; Curras-Collazo, M; Loganathan, BG 

2017 

Academic Press 

San Diego, CA 

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology (Second Edition) 

711-743 

English 

10.1016/B978-0-12-804239-7.00039-1 

WOS:000463378100039 

is a chapter of 4779372 Reproductive and developmental toxicology (Second edition)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans belong to a group of compounds that are structurally related and are environmentally and biologically persistent. These chemicals are ubiquitous and detectable in a variety of environmental media and biota. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a broad spectrum of effects. Fetal and early developmental exposures are particularly sensitive and can have different outcomes when compared to exposure in adults. Latent effects of early exposures include, but are not limited to, depressed circulating thyroid hormone levels and abnormal thyroid cytology; developmental effects of the heart, palate, and kidney; delayed cognitive development; altered sensory and motor abilities; and reproductive impairment and compromised neuronal function. Although AhR activation has been attributed to several dioxin-like coplanar compounds, some PCBs that are noncoplanar in nature seem to exert their toxic effects through different mechanisms, including calcium signaling, oxidative stress, thyroid hormone perturbations, and neurotransmitter imbalance. The most significant problem caused by these compounds involve accidental poisoning via food supply or consumption of contaminated food from contaminated areas. Additionally, there are areas of the environment that are heavily contaminated by these chemicals because of past industrial activities. Animals and humans residing in or near contaminated locations certainly are at risk of serious health effects. Efforts must continue to reduce exposure to protect wildlife and humans. The best way to accomplish is to modernize technological processes to prevent the release of these chemicals into the environment. 

Environmental exposure; Health effects; Mechanisms; Neurotoxicity; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins; Polychlorinated dibenzofurans; Reproductive effects; Toxicokinetics 

2nd 

Gupta, RC 

9780128042397