(Each entry below represents one finding in a study --- unless otherwise noted. Some studies had multiple findings.) 

Keep in mind that not all of the 28 studies are equal in size or quality. This accounts for some of the varying results. It’s clear that not all of the 209 kinds of PCBs have the same effects. 

• PCB exposure produced a consistent increase in kidney cancer
• higher numbers of kidney cancer for men followed PCB exposure
• machining fluids [including PCB-containing pyranol] were associated with kidney cancer
• kidney cancer was reported in three utility workers exposed to PCBs
• deaths caused by kidney cancer increased significantly with increasing exposure to pentachlorophenol [which is contaminated with dioxin --- certain PCBs are dioxin-like and PCBs are usually contaminated with dioxin]
• PCBs demonstrate increased risk of urothelial cancers [ includes kidney cancers]
• PCB pretreatment increased the protein binding of another kidney toxicant and carcinogen (Tris-BP)
• PCBs promoted the production of nodules
• adenocarcinomas of kidney were composed of clear cells arranged in solid, alveolar patterns
• urothelial cancer [including kidney cancer] relative risks for PCB exposures were 3.6, after adjusting for year of birth and smoking
• for PCBs and urothelial cancers, data are scarce (prior to 1990)
• one cohort study gave some support for PCBs being associated with urothelial cancer
• PCBs increased risk of urothelial cancer
• PCBs altered kidney histopathology
• PCB congener 118 accumulated in kidneys
• PCBs had physiological effects on kidney function
• long-term cancer risks (beyond 8 years) were not followed
• PCB-induced enzymes were highest in the kidney and liver
• this pattern was in accord with observations in other species 
• PCB mixture Aroclor 1248 caused loss of kidney cell viability and cell death in a concentration- and time-dependent manner
• individual PCB congeners produced kidney cell death by different mechanisms
• PCBs were associated with abnormal cellular changes in the renal corpuscle (kidneys)
• PCBs increased the kidney dysfunctions caused by trichloroethylene exposure
• low amounts of PCBs were enough to modify kidney cell membrane fluidity
• kidney damage is one of the main PCB effects in birds
• kidney enzyme activities were increased by PCBs
• kidney toxicity of chloroform was reduced by PCBs
• certain PCBs decreased liver Vitamin-A content 60% within 7 days, and increased kidney Vitamin-A levels 3-fold
• certain PCBs caused significant increases in kidney retinol (Vitamin-A) content
• sulfur-containing PCB metabolites accumulate in the kidney
• PCBs increase the protein synthesizing activity of kidney pH 5 supernatant fractions
• kidneys are more sensitive than lungs to PCB enzyme induction
• PCB mixture Aroclor 1254 altered liver and lung tissue more than kidney tissue
• PCBs promoted liver cancers, but not kidney cancers, in rats treated with nitrosamines
• arsenic modulates the accumulation and elimination of PCBs
• arsenic is associated with kidney cancer
• PCB accumulation may boost arsenic’s tendency to produce kidney cancer [Northeast Wisconsin has many areas of high arsenic levels in drinking water]

Go to:

Introduction

Studies of PCBs and Kidney, Bladder and Urothelial Cancers

Links to More Information

References