However, due to the recent discovery of widespread residential PCB contamination, MDPH is coordinating a separate study of residents who may be concerned about exposure. A. MDPH has established a toll free hot-line to advise local area residents about any health related concerns or questions they may have. The exposure assessment questionnaire will be provided to all residents who wish to have their opportunities for exposure evaluated and a blood test taken. A. PCBs are not very acutely toxic. Large amounts of PCBs are necessary to produce acute effects.
Chronic effects occur after weeks or years of exposure or long after initial exposure to PCBs.
A number of studies have suggested that these effects include immune system suppression, liver damage, neurological effects, and possibly cancer. Once PCBs enter the body they are first distributed in the liver and muscles and then are stored in fatty tissues. PCBs can be stored in fat tissue for years. Also, breast milk may concentrate PCBs because of its fat content. The PCBs can then be transferred to children through breastfeeding.