Effects on Children through PCB-Exposed Mothers Many of negative health effects found in the PCB Baby Studies occurred at background levels of PCB contamination, at levels many women already carry in their bodies. Millions of children could be affected worldwide, and local children along the Fox River, Green Bay and Lake Michigan could face higher than average damage. The 28 studies and sites summarized below are not equal in quality or size. Some of the studies involved higher PCB exposures, or different chemical mixes. Some sites involved many separate research studies by different investigators (for example: we counted the Yusho and Yu-Cheng incidents as just 2 studies).  Please read the study descriptions for more details and references.

Neurological damage

8 studies or sites found PCBs were linked to changes in the immune system and/or increased infections

1 study found no association between PCBs and immune changes

19 studies didn’t look at this issue or didn’t comment

10 studies or sites found PCBs were linked to lowered birth weight 

1 study found no association between PCBs and birth weight

1 study found PCBs were linked to increased birth weight 

17 studies didn’t look at this issue or didn’t comment

5 studies or sites found PCBs were linked to a shorter length of pregnancy

2 studies found no reduction associated with PCBs

21 studies didn’t look at this issue or didn’t comment

2 studies or sites found PCBs were linked to smaller head circumference in newborns

2 studies found no association between PCBs and head size

24 studies didn’t look at this issue or didn’t comment

6 studies or sites found PCBs were linked to impaired or slowed growth in babies and/or children

22 studies didn’t look at this issue or didn’t comment

Vegetarian women have few PCBs in their bodies and in their babies cord blood (1 study)

Caucasian girls were heavier for their height at puberty by 11.9 pounds at high-background PCB levels (1 study)

Higher chlorinated PCBs are associated with neurological damage, not lower chlorinated PCBs (1 study)

PCBs were not associated with miscarriages (sudden fetal death) (1 study)

PCBs were not associated with premature births at background PCB levels (1 study)

PCBs may be associated with increased testes damage and reduced sperm in men from 1948-1998. (1 study)

PCBs may be associated with accelerated puberty in boys and girls (1 study)

PCBs account for 23% of dioxin equivalency in young Japanese women  (1 study)

PCBs damage the enamel on a baby’s permanent teeth  (3 studies)

A mother’s active or passive smoking increases her baby’s PCB levels  (1 study)

PCBs and mercury together may cause increased damage beyond additive effects - dopamine decreases and intracellular calcium increases in the brain  (1 study)

Dark brown hyperpigmentation in babies (all over)

Gum disease, with swollen, pigmented gums

Red, puffy eyes with discharge

Dental defects --- teeth at birth, increased cavities, mottled enamel

Abnormal calcification of the skull

Rocker bottom heel

Premature births and stillborns

Growth abnormalities --- slow growth, shorter in height, lower weight, less total lean and soft tissue mass, dysmorphic bodies

Deformed, darkened finger-nails and toe-nails, and hair loss

Skin problems --- acne, itchiness, localized skin infections

Fatigue, weak digestion

Reproductive damage --- shorter penises, deformed sperm, reduced sperm motility (movement) and reduced fertilization capability by the sperm

Go to:

PCB Baby Studies (details) - Part 1

PCB Baby Studies - Part 2

PCB Baby Studies - Part 3

Links to More Information

References