PCB effects are known mostly from accidental poisonings, not proactive research

Evidence

Studies of PCB contamination of alligators in the Everglades indicate a problem called emasculization—shrinking testicles in subsequent generations. A study of boys in Taiwan born to mothers exposed to PCBs found that they also had smaller penises. Studies of polar bears in the Arctic indicate dropping reproduction rates associated with PCB contamination, a concern in animals that are already threatened with extinction. It will take a while for most Americans to consume levels of PCBs capable of causing such damage. But what happens if a segment of the population does become affected? Most of the information regarding the effects of PCBs and dibenzofurans on human health is based on accidental poisonings. — Winona LaDuke, All Our Relations, 104

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Accidental PCB rice-oil poisonings killed infants and caused lifelong disorders — Winona LaDuke, All Our Relations: Native Struggles for…, 105; Only one of eleven Superfund studies examined human health — Winona LaDuke, All Our Relations: Native Struggles for…, 123; Extremely tiny PCB concentrations cause permanent fetal brain and IQ damage — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 550

Broader Connections

• Extremely tiny PCB concentrations cause permanent fetal brain and IQ damage #expands (0.85) — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 550