PCB Exposure Can Be Life-Threatening: Side Effects, Symptoms & Legal Help

In recent times, health hazards resulting from PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) have been increasing globally. In August 2023, The Berkshire Eagle mentioned two lawsuits regarding PCB exposure against Monsanto and General Electric Company, by residents living near the earlier GE site. Including this incident, the number of PCB exposure lawsuits is now five. Gradually, people are voicing their suffering because of PCB contamination. Betty Jackson, having cancer, had filed a complaint on behalf of Carol Barosso, her late sister, as well as herself. Another complaint was filed by Charles Barosso, their brother, who had Parkinson’s disease himself. Diane Romero, a city resident and a nurse, filed another complaint. When she turned 41, she was diagnosed with breast cancer because of PCB contamination. As time passed, the cancer affected her brain and spinal cord. Almost every complaint had a scientific study that supported it, which establishes that PCBs can cause cancer in humans. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of PCB contamination and how affected individuals can seek legal assistance to get compensated for their suffering.

Understanding PCBs and Their Adverse Effects on Humans

From 1929, PCBs were extensively used in industrial and equipment facilities until about the 1980s. Owing to its insulating property, it was apt for heat transfer, cooling, and hydraulic equipment. You can find this man-made chemical in plasticizers, paints, cable insulation, caulk, thermal insulation, dyes, rubber products, and pigments. This chemical is most commonly placed inside electrical transformers, electric motors, and capacitors. The question here is: what makes PCBs dangerous to public health? The answer is that they are POPs (persistent organic pollutants), which once released, persist in the human body or environment for several years. Even though PCBs were banned for any new use over 40 years ago, the chemical is still present in several environmental sites. The chemical enters the human body via ingestion, inhalation, or any kind of skin absorption. After that, it accumulates inside the fatty tissues and stays there for years. PCB exposure results in a multitude of health issues, including developmental and reproductive issues, cancer, neurological disorders, and immune system dysfunction. Anyone who has faced acute health hazards of getting exposed to PCB can get a medical assessment and start treatment so that their physical health doesn’t deteriorate. After that, they can file a lawsuit seeking fair compensation for the damages and suffering they have endured.

Identifying the Signs of PCB Exposure

This toxic, man-made chemical affects different parts of the human body in various ways and leads to multiple complications. Some of the PCB exposure symptoms can be identified based on the physical issues they result in.

These include:

Severe Toxic Effects

The skin is one of the common areas affected by this chemical. People who have ingested high amounts of PCBs through inhalation, food consumption, or even through the skin will experience skin allergies to start with. It will develop into skin irritations such as rashes and acne that cause the skin to become harsh and red. Other symptoms include any kind of eye problems and consistent irritation experienced in the lungs and nose.

Developmental Effects

Often, women get affected by PCB exposure when they are pregnant and end up giving birth to kids who develop motor control and other neurological problems that comprise poor short-term memory and reduced IQ levels. In Michigan, a group of kids whose mothers previously got exposed to PCBs have developed issues like decreased head size, low birth weight, and compromised performance in thinking and analyzing. These side effects and symptoms lasted for almost 7 years. There was another group of women exposed to PCB in New York who faced a shorter pregnancy time, and their kids were born with a low birth weight. In another study, children of women who consumed polluted fish from Lake Ontario had to undergo a common behavioral assessment test that revealed visible performance impairments.

Disrupted Hormone Function

PCBs that have minimal chlorine atoms can replicate natural hormones present in the body, mostly estrogen. Also, women who ate fish sourced from Lake Ontario that was contaminated by PCBs had reduced menstrual cycles. That aside, PCB exposure also results in other symptoms related to hormonal problems, such as premature puberty, reduced sperm counts, a changed sex ratio for kids, and altered sex organs. The PCBs that have increased chlorine atoms ‌function like dioxins in changing the metabolism of the sex hormones present in the body by altering the usual testosterone and estrogen levels. This chemical undergoes a change in the environment and human body, from a high to a low chlorinated form, which maximizes the estrogenic effects.

Finding a Legal Solution

Both men and women affected by PCB exposure should, by all means, get a medical assessment to ensure that this chemical is the reason for their ailment. Once that is done, they must file a lawsuit and ask for compensation that will help cover all the damages, pain, and suffering they endured. The question here is: do you qualify to file a lawsuit for PCB exposure? TorHoerman Law states that getting in touch with a lawyer and sharing your experience supported by evidence will enable them to decide your eligibility. They can provide you with recent lawsuit updates and guide you through the claims process so that the verdict is in your favor. It is necessary to submit every valid piece of evidence you have to help your lawyer build a solid case. Finally, today, more cases of PCB exposure are coming to light. Usually, it is detected in school buildings or industrial outlets, and the concerned authorities are aware of the potential health hazards this chemical causes. While preventive measures are being implemented, it is necessary to ensure that you get both medical and legal aid once affected by PCBs.