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Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Toxicity
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Course: WB 2460
CE Original Date: May 14, 2014
CE Renewal Date: May 14, 2016
CE Expiration Date: May 14, 2018
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Key Concepts
  • The highest human exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) occur via the consumption of contaminated fish and, in certain occupational settings, via contact with equipment or materials made before 1977.
  • Recent studies indicate that maternal consumption of PCB-contaminated fish can cause disturbances in reproductive parameters and neurobehavioral and developmental deficits in newborns and older children.
  • Evidence shows that exposures to high concentrations of PCBs cause adverse dermal effects in humans. On the basis of sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and experimental animals, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PCBs as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

About This and Other Case Studies in Environmental Medicine

This educational case study document is one in a series of self-instructional modules designed to increase the primary care provider's knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to promote the adoption of medical practices that aid in the evaluation and care of potentially exposed patients. The complete series of Case Studies in Environmental Medicine is located on the ATSDR Web site at URL: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.html

In addition, the downloadable PDF [612 KB] version of this educational series and other environmental medicine materials provides content in an electronic, printable format, especially for those who may lack adequate Internet service.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the work of the medical writers, editors, and reviewers in producing this educational resource. Contributors to this version of the Case Study in Environmental Medicine are listed below.

Please Note: Each content expert for this case study has indicated that there is no conflict of interest that would bias the case study content.

CDC/ATSDR Author(s): Dianyi Yu, MD

CDC/ATSDR Planners: Charlton Coles, PhD; John Doyle, MPA; Kimberly Gehle, MD; Sharon L. Hall, PhD; Michael Hatcher, DrPH; Barbara M. Riley, RN; Delene Roberts, MSA; Brian Tencza, MS; Dianyi Yu, MD.

Peer Reviewers: Obaid Faroon, DVM, PhD; John Osterich, PhD; Avima M. Ruder, Ph.D.; Anne Sowell, PhD; Mohammed Uddin, MD, MPH.

How to Apply for and Receive Continuing Education Credit, Including the Assessment and Posttest

Visit http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/conteduc.html for more information about continuing medical education credits, continuing nursing education credits, and other continuing education units. Access the Assessment and Posttest by selecting http://www2a.cdc.gov/TCEOnline/registration/detailpage.asp?res_id=4323

Accrediting Organizations
Accrediting Organization
Credits Offered

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Commission on Accreditation

CDC is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation to provide continuing nursing education.

This activity provides 2.0 contact hours.

National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC)

Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designed for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES) to receive up to 2.0 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 0. CDC provider number GA0082.

International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)

CDC is approved by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102 to provide continuing education.

CDC is authorized by IACET to offer 0.2 IACET continuing education units (CEU) for this program.

National Board of Public Health Examiners

CDC is a pre-approved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer 2.0 CPH recertification credits for this program.

CDC is an approved provider of CPH Recertification Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Effective October 1, 2013, the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) accepts continuing education units (CEU) for CPH recertification credits from CDC. Please select CEU as your choice for continuing education when registering for a course on TCEOnline. Learners seeking CPH should use the guidelines provided by the NBPHE for calculating recertification credits. For assistance please contact NBPHE at http://www.NBPHE.org.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

Disclaimer

The state of knowledge regarding the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances in the environment is constantly evolving and is often uncertain. In developing its educational products, ATSDR has made a diligent effort to ensure the accuracy and the currency of the presented information. ATSDR, however, makes no claim that the environmental medicine and health education resources discussed in these products comprehensively address all possible situations related to various substances. The products are intended for educational use to build the knowledge of physicians and other health professionals in assessing the conditions and managing the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances. The products are not a substitute for a health-care provider's professional judgment. Please interpret the environmental medicine and the health education resources in light of specific information regarding the patient and in conjunction with other medical authorities.

Use of trade names in ATSDR products is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Disclosure

In compliance with continuing education requirements, all presenters must disclose any financial or other associations with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or product(s) under investigational use. CDC, our planners, and the presenters for this seminar do not have financial or other associations with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters. This presentation does not involve the unlabeled use of a product or product under investigational use. There was no commercial support for this activity.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences
Environmental Medicine Branch
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USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341
Contact CDC: 800-232-4636 / TTY: 888-232-6348

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