Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION
2. CHARACTERISTICS and USES of PCBs
3. FORMS and TRANSFORMATIONS in the ENVIRONMENT
4. OCCURRENCE in the ENVIRONMENT
5. BIOLOGIC and toxic effects of PCBs
6. DRINKING WATER
7. AQUATIC LIFE
8. WILDLIFE
9. LIVESTOCK WATERING
10. IRRIGATION
11. RECREATION AND AESTHETICS
12. RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
13. REFERENCES

LIST OF FIGURES

1. Structure of a biphenyl molecule and nomenclature of PCBs
2. LC50s for freshwater organisms exposed to Aroclor 1016
3. LC50s for freshwater organisms exposed to Aroclor 1242
4. LC50s for freshwater organisms exposed to Aroclor 1248
5. LC50s for freshwater organisms exposed to Aroclor 1254
6. LC50s for freshwater organisms exposed to Aroclor 1260
7. Chronic toxicity of PCBs to freshwater animals
8. Toxicity of PCBs to freshwater algae and aquatic plants
9. Toxicity of PCB congeners to freshwater organisms
10. Lethal toxicity for marine organisms exposed to Aroclor 1016
11. Lethal toxicity for marine organisms exposed to Aroclor 1254
12. Sublethal toxicity of Aroclor 1254 to marine animals
13. Toxicity of Aroclor 1254 to marine algae and plankton

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, LANDS AND PARKS
PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

TECHNICAL APPENDIX

N. K. Nagpal, Ph. D.
Water Quality Branch
Water Management Division

January, 1992

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author gratefully acknowledges comments provided by many individuals from both the British Columbia and the Federal governments, during the preparation of this document. The following is a list of the reviewers, in alphabetical order, and their affiliation.

Richard Arsenault, Environment Canada
Julia Beatty Spence, Ministry of Environment, Smithers, British Columbia
Ray Copes, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British, Columbia
Bob Cox, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, British Columbia
Laurena Hansel, Ministry of Environment, Surrey, British Columbia
Vic Jensen, Ministry of Environment, Penticton, British Columbia
Les McDonald, Ministry of Environment, Cranbrook, British Columbia
Mike McFarlane, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, British Columbia
Larry Pommen, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, British Columbia
Chris Pharo, Environment Canada, Vancouver
Roland Rocchini, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, British Columbia
Sherry Walker, Environment Canada, Ottawa
Doug Walton, Ministry of Environment, Surrey, British Columbia
Barry Willoughby, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British, Columbia