While there have been many laboratory experiments and other studies which have tried to determine the full health effects of PCBs on humans, none has been definitive. As a result, even expert opinion varies significantly on this subject. However, most are concerned about possible adverse health effects of long-term exposure to even low concentrations of these substances. PCBs can enter the body through skin contact, by the inhalation of vapours or by ingestion of food containing PCB residues. The most commonly observed health effect from extensive exposure to PCBs is chloracne, a painful and disfiguring skin condition, similar to adolescent acne.
Liver damage can also result.
People who might be exposed to PCBs include those servicing some types of electrical equipment, maintenance workers who clean up spills or leaks of PCB fluids, employees of scrap metal or salvage companies, and waste collection workers. Safer alternatives have been found to take the place of PCBs in all their previous applications. Virtually everyone agrees that the only long-term solution to the PCB problem is to destroy the remaining volume of the chemical not yet dispersed in the environment. Properly done, this has been shown to destroy PCBs at an efficiency of 99.9999 percent, leaving an inorganic ash. Alternatives to incineration include chemical treatment for mineral oils to destroy low levels of PCBs and bacterial treatment.