An overview on PCBs in the environment, their health effects, identifying and removal methodsl methods

Introduction: PCBs are chemical resistant and biodegradable compounds which can have harmful effects on human health and the environment. These compounds are used in thermal, hydraulic, lubricating, pesticides, cosmetics, paint and paint products, adhesives, plastics, carbonless paper and electrical industries such as capacitors, transformer oils, disconnectors and fluorescent lamps. In the present study, we will review the PCBs composition in the environment, their health effects, identifying and removal methods. Methods: this review study was conducted by searching in Iranian and international high validity indexes of Elsevier، Springer، PubMed، Magiran، google scholar،SID، CIVILICA, using English keywords of: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)، Environment، Health Effect، Water Contamination،degradation، Remediation and Persian keywords of: PBCs, environment, health effects, water pollution, removal during 1980-2017. Results: results were categorized and compared in four sections of: effects of PCBs (effects on the environment, human and animals), physical and chemical properties, measurement methods (four main chemical methods, final estimation of colorimetry, electrometry, X-ray fluorescence and gas chromatography) and removal methods of PCBs compounds (three main physicals, microbial and chemical groups). Conclusion: according to the findings, the effect of PCBs compounds on the environment, human and animals, and their accumulation in the food stuffs was high and therefore it is necessary to be measured and monitored continuously and disintegration and disposal is the best controlling way. Finally, the best method for removal of PCBs in water, sewage, sludge and ships has been introduced. KeyWord: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Environment, Health Effect Water Contamination ►Please cite this article as follows Alighardashi A, Mirabi M, Haghighat Gh A. An overview on PCBs in the environment, their health effects, identifying and removal methods. Journal of Jiroft University of Medical Sciences. 2019; 6 (1):87-100