An unexpected source of PCB

A small study, published recently in the online journal Environmental Health, suggests that old wood floor finishes may be an overlooked source of the environmental pollutants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).¹

Polychlorinated biphenyls are persistent organic pollutants. They accumulate in the food chain and have been identified worldwide as human blood and breast milk contaminants. They were widely used in industry as cooling and insulating fluids for electrical equipment as well as in construction and domestic products, such as varnishes and caulks. PCBs were banned in the 1970s because of their high toxicity.