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How PCBs still pollute the air today
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are among the most persistent environmental toxins ever produced industrially. For decades, they were used in paints, varnishes, joint sealants, plastics and electrical appliances until their production was banned in most countries at the end of the 1980s.
But the problem has not disappeared: PCBs are chemically very stable and degrade extremely slowly in the environment. In many older buildings from the 1960s to 1980s, PCBs can still be contained in materials today and slowly escape from there into the indoor air.
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Why PCBs in the air are problematic
PCBs are lipophilic, which means they are stored in body fat and accumulate over time. Even low, long-term exposure can pose health risks:
- Damage to the liver and immune system
- Hormonal disorders
- Developmental problems in children
- Increased cancer risk (classified as probable carcinogen)
They are mainly absorbed through food, but exposure through indoor air, especially in buildings with PCB-containing substances, can also be significant.
How do you recognize a strain?
The tricky thing is that PCBs are colorless and odorless. Increased contamination is usually only detected through indoor air measurements or material analyses. In Germany, there are guideline values above which PCB remediation measures are recommended or even mandatory.
What can the air-Q measure?
The air-Q provides valuable indications of possible PCB contamination and can thus give a warning signal as to when action is required. The air-Q can serve as an early warning system and indicate generally problematic air quality. This makes it clear when it makes sense to call in experts for verifiable evidence of PCBs.
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The air-Q can be used to continuously monitor the following parameters, among others:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – VOCs can be an indication of outgassing pollutants.
- particulates (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) – important because pollutants can also bind to particles.
- Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ozone – for a comprehensive picture of air quality.
- Humidity and temperature – influence how much pollutants are emitted by materials.
A permanently increased VOC load or conspicuous values can be a reason to have a specific PCB measurement carried out by a laboratory, as direct detection of PCBs requires special laboratory procedures.
