For example, a leaky ballast and other contaminated material should be wrapped securely in layers of newspaper, placed in a heavy plastic bag, which should then be sealed. Those who collect large numbers of ballasts may need to dispose of them as a hazardous waste. A significant human health risk is not likely to be associated with being in a room for a short period of time after electrical burnout of PCB containing fluorescent light ballasts. A worker exposed to even a large quantity of PCBs may not experience any immediate ill health, although exposure may result in skin irritation and persistent skin rashes. A painful and persistent condition known as chloracne may result.
High exposures can damage the liver.
There is some limited evidence that they cause skin cancer in humans and they have been shown to cause liver cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a cancer-causing agent. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. They may be passed to a child through mother's milk. Polychlorinated Biphenyis can affect the reproductive system of adults.