Sunday Funday Monday Leftover Knowledge Drip
Every Monday at 7pm central, TipsyRoo and I host (except when we don't) a live community event where, collectively, we solve a NY Times Sunday crossword puzzle (without using internet search engines!). Each week following the episode either I, or the community, will select a clue/answer from that puzzle and I will delve further into the history & look for fun facts.
Drip #7: PCBs
Puzzle Date: February 14th, 2010
Puzzle Theme: That's Amore
Episode: 47, recorded live on February 15th, 2021
Clue: Chemicals banned by Congress in '76
Answer: PCBs
A SELF-SHARED OREO BLIZZARD
After a fantastic (and hilarious) Dumb-Beaver-Comment, brought to life by Tipsy (and further improved with a suggestion from chat), we learned that the chemicals banned in 1976, were PCBs (thanks, intelligent viewer!) and NOT a personal citizens band radio.
PCB, or polychlorinated biphenyl, is a man-made organic chemical consisting of carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen atoms that were manufactured from 1929 until 1979.
In 1976, the United States Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control Act, effective January 1st, 1978. This act banned all new manufacturing of PCBs but issued regulations that allowed their continued use for economic reasons.
HISTORY & PRODUCTION
In 1865 the first PCB-like chemical was discovered (a byproduct of coal tar). Between 1881 and 1914, large amounts of PCBs were released into the environment.
In 1935, Monsanto took over commercial production.
In 1947, it was known that PCBs were “objectionably toxic”.
In 1966, it was determined that PCBs were an environmental contaminant.
In 2003, Monsanto reached a $700 million settlement with the residents of West Anniston, Alabama. (the wikipedia page lists many more lawsuits).
“One estimate (2006) suggested that 1 million tonnes of PCBs had been produced. 40% of this material was thought to remain in use.[2] Another estimate put the total global production of PCBs on the order of 1.5 million tonnes. The United States was the single largest producer with over 600,000 tonnes produced between 1930 and 1977. The European region follows with nearly 450,000 tonnes through 1984. It is unlikely that a full inventory of global PCB production will ever be accurately tallied, as there were factories in Poland, East Germany, and Austria that produced unknown amounts of PCBs. In East region of Slovakia there is still 21 500 tons of PCBs stored.”
USES
The following is a direct copy and paste from here. (Commercial Uses for PCBs section)
Although no longer commercially produced in the United States, PCBs may be present in products and materials produced before the 1979 PCB ban. Products that may contain PCBs include:
Transformers and capacitors
Electrical equipment including voltage regulators, switches, re-closers, bushings, and electromagnets
Oil used in motors and hydraulic systems
Old electrical devices or appliances containing PCB capacitors
Fluorescent light ballasts
Cable insulation
Thermal insulation material including fiberglass, felt, foam, and cork
Adhesives and tapes
Oil-based paint
Caulking
Plastics
Carbonless copy paper
Floor finish
HEALTH EFFECTS
Exposure to PCBs (typically through food, but some in some cases, contaminated air and skin contact) resulted in some of the following detrimental health effects:
skin conditions like chloracne, rashes and unusual skin sores
liver damage
fatigue
headaches
coughs
poor cognitive development in children
women exposed before or during pregnancy can give birth to children with lowered cognitive ability, immune compromise, and motor control problems, and cancer
Many of these health effects were known as early as the 1930s.
“Through the 1960s Monsanto Chemical Company knew increasingly more about PCBs’ harmful effects on humans and the environment, per internal leaked documents released in 2002, yet PCB manufacture and use continued with few restraints until the 1970s”
FASCINATING FACTS
PCBs do not readily break down once in the environment and have been discovered in organisms living in the Mariana trench in the Pacific Ocean (the deepest oceanic trench on Earth).
In 1968, 400,000 birds died after eating feed that was contaminated with PCBs.
In 1978, 31,000 gallons of PCB-contaminated oil were deliberately spilled (illegally sprayed) along 240 miles of roadway in North Carolina.
Only one company manufactured PCBs in the United States: Monsanto.
PCBs can be effectively destroyed by incineration at 1000 degrees C; anything lower, they convert into more hazardous materials.
BE KIND TO OTHERS, YOURSELF, AND THE EARTH
It's been disheartening to learn about the environmental neglect and disregard for human & animal health of which many of these companies continue to be guilty and when they're held accountable, it's nothing more than a slap on the wrist.
We all have to work within this system we’re a part of; in doing so, please be kind to our planet, it's the only one we've got.
REFERENCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenyl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_Substances_Control_Act_of_1976
https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/pcbs/learn-about-polychlorinated-biphenyls-pcbs_.html
Sunday Funday Monday is the brain-child of TipsyRoo that I’ve been honored to be a part of as he continues to enjoy my dumb jokes. Past episodes can be found on YouTube. But it’s a much better viewing experience when viewed live. The puzzle’s a catalyst for interacting with the community, creating shared experiences, and fun learning.
