title: PCBs and environmental contamination.
abstract: A survey is given on reported PCB-residues and accumulation in various environmental media including water and aquatic environment, flora, animals, food, and humans. Model studies with technical PCB, as well as with pure individual components, are presented from various working groups. As examples, metabolic studies and photochemical experiments are discussed. According to our present knowledge, a major metabolic pathway in animals and plants is hydroxylation, often followed by methylation or conjugation. By UV-irradiation, however, oxygenation, dechlorination and chlorination, polymerization and isomerization may occur.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001140:Aroclors / Q000032:analysis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D001717:Birds / Q000378:metabolism; D003634:DDT / Q000528:radiation effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D051379:Mice; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D051381:Rats; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001140:Aroclors; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007306:Insecticides; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003634:DDT