What’s Really in
your Fish
Polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCB) Fact-sheet for your health
Frequently asked Questions
1.
What are PCBs?
Polychlorinated
biphenyls commonly known as PCBs are chemicals which can be used in making
plastics, pesticides, as a coolant for insullation , as a lubricator for
machinery, as an ingredient in paints , glues, inks ,and caulking, and etc.
2.
How and Why are the PCBs found in my food
sources?
Often
times the population at hand comes into contact with PCBs by way of landfills
leaching into a water supply, or by industries filtrating chemicals into water
sources. Once PCBs have contaminated a water source they aren't dissolved and
end up concentrating in the food-chain in that environment which is often
animals that habitat the water supply and feed on PCB- contaminated sediments.
Many individuals obtain fish from these contaminated waterways, and consume
them not knowing that a significant amount of PCBs are located within the fatty
tissue of the fish. PCBs are colorless and odorless, which is why they often go
unnoticed in an individual’s system.
3.
How are PCBs
harmful to my family?
Those
who frequent contaminated water sources , and utilize them as a source for drinking
and consumption over an elongated period of time may experience changes
within their immune system, skin , reproductive system, nervous system, and
thymus glands. Individuals may also have a much higher risk at developing
various cancers, and liver disorders. Those who are pregnant or nursing could
also experience lowered birth weights, birth defects, or developmental problems
in their child. The PCBs may enter into the body by way of the intestinal
tract, the lungs, or skin.
4. How can you protect your family from these harmful chemicals ?
If
individuals must use the contaminated water ways as a source for food proper
cleaning guidelines must be followed correctly to ensure that you and your
family’s health is not compromised. To reduce the risk of ingesting high levels
of PCB all internal organs within the fish should be discarded, as well as the head and
tail of the fish. Under no circumstances should fish from contaminated water
ways be consumed raw, the fish should instead be broiled, grilled, or baked so
that the fat can be cooked off and discarded. Before consumption the fish
should be thoroughly cleaned and fat from the stomach of the fish should be cut,
as well as fat along the backbone, and lateral line on each side of the fish. In
addition the skin of the fish should not
be consumed, and should be removed before cooking.
