PCB Lawsuit [March 2026 Guide] | PCB Exposure & Health Effects

PCB Lawsuit Investigation Overview

Our attorneys are currently investigating the potential PCB Litigation, conducting free consultations with students and workers exposed to PCBs.

As we’ll discuss further in this piece, PCBs have been linked to several adverse health effects and are labeled as probable human carcinogens.

PCB concentrations are high in older school buildings and other buildings that use old fluorescent lighting fixtures.

Our lawyers are currently investigating PCB exposures in St. Louis area schools.

If you were exposed to PCBs at work or school and subsequently suffered health effects, you may be eligible to file a PCB Lawsuit claim. 

Contact our law firm for a free consultation. 

Use the chatbot on this page for a free and instant case evaluation. 

What are Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms, known for their chemical stability and resistance to heat.

PCBs were widely used in various industrial and commercial applications, including in electrical transformers and capacitors, due to their excellent insulation properties against electricity and heat.

PCBs were also used in hydraulic systems, lubricants, paints, plasticizers, and even fluorescent light ballasts, making them ubiquitous in mid-20th century manufacturing and building materials.

Monsanto began commercial production of the chemical in 1929, and was instrumental in the widespread distribution and use of PCBs globally.

Monsanto’s production practices led to significant environmental contamination, notably in places like Anniston, AL and Sauget, IL, where the disposal of PCBs resulted in extensive soil and water pollution.

PCBs are known to bioaccumulate in the environment, particularly in the fatty tissues of living organisms, leading to their presence in food chains and a significant ecological impact.

Exposure to PCBs poses potential health risks to humans, including cancer, immune system suppression, reproductive and developmental problems, and endocrine disruption.

As a result of these hazards, PCB production was banned in the United States in 1976 under the Toxic Substances Control Act, but their persistence in the environment continues to be a concern.

Cleanup efforts for PCB contamination are complex and ongoing, as seen in EPA Superfund sites across the country, where extensive remediation is required to mitigate their impact.

PCBs remain a stark example of the long-term environmental and health consequences of widespread chemical use without adequate understanding of their ecological and human health effects.

What Companies Produced PCBs?

Over the course of the 20th century, numerous companies used PCBs in electrical equipment, electrical devices, hydraulic systems, heat transfer fluids, paints and plastics, sealants, caulks, and various other industrial and commercial applications.

Monsanto was the primary manufacturer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the 1930s until they were banned in the 1970s.

The only other company to have ever produced PCBs in the United States was Geneva Industries of Houston, TX, which manufactured PCBs for heat transfer applications from 1972-1974.

Monsanto has been named in countless lawsuits due to its role in the manufacture and distribution of PCBs in the United States.

Lawsuits filed against Monsanto for PCB contamination and exposures have centered on allegations that Monsanto was aware of the environmental and health risks associated with PCBs but continued to promote and sell them.

Apart from the recent legal actions for PCBs in schools, several PCB Lawsuits have been filed by government entities across the country have sought compensation for environmental contamination and remediation.

Individual PCB Lawsuits have also been filed by people who have suffered occupational exposure to PCBs.

Where are PCBs Found?

PCBs can be found in various locations due to their historical use and persistence in the environment.

Here are some common sources where PCBs can be present:

1. Electrical Equipment: PCBs were extensively used as insulating fluids in electrical transformers and capacitors. Old electrical equipment, especially those manufactured before the ban, may still contain PCBs.
2. Industrial Sites: Manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, and other industrial sites where PCBs were used or produced may have residual contamination in the soil, water, or nearby areas.
3. Buildings and Construction Materials: PCBs were added to building materials like caulking, paints, sealants, and plastics to improve their durability and fire resistance. Older structures may still have these PCB-containing materials.
4. Natural Environment: PCBs are persistent pollutants and can accumulate in soil, sediment, and water bodies. They can enter the environment through industrial releases, improper disposal, and atmospheric deposition.
5. Food and Food Chain: PCBs can bioaccumulate in the food chain, particularly in fish and other seafood. Predatory fish at the top of the food chain tend to have higher PCB concentrations.
6. Consumer Products: Although their use has been banned or restricted, some consumer products manufactured before the regulations may still contain traces of PCBs. These products include carbonless copy paper, pigments, lubricants, and plasticizers.

PCBs in Schools: A Nationwide Public Health Concern

According to research conducted by the Iowa Superfund Research Program (ISRP), the worst case for human exposure to PCBs is a school room.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), while less widely known than other toxic substances like lead and asbestos, represent a significant health and environmental challenge, especially in the context of the United States’ aging school infrastructure.

The federal ban did not eliminate PCBs from existing structures; hence, many school buildings constructed or remodeled during this period are likely to still contain these hazardous chemicals.

PCBs in schools were primarily used to enhance the durability of building materials such as caulk and insulation and found utility in electrical equipment due to their insulating properties.

A 2016 study estimated that between 13,000 and 26,000 school buildings in the United States contain building caulk, fluorescent lights, or other materials laced with PCBs.

This widespread prevalence is alarming, considering the health risks to students and educators who spend considerable time in these environments.

The challenge of remediating PCBs in schools is daunting, often involving extensive renovations or complete building replacements, burdened by high costs.

This problem is exacerbated in underfunded districts, typically in low-income or minority communities, which may struggle to keep pace with necessary infrastructure updates, thereby widening health disparities.

The ambiguity surrounding the extent of PCB usage, due to unclear or lost historical records, adds another layer of complexity to identifying and addressing the issue.

At the federal level, there’s a significant gap in the mandate for PCB testing and remediation in schools, leaving the responsibility primarily to local authorities and states.

While some states, like Vermont, have initiated laws for mandatory PCB testing in older school buildings, a nationwide, unified approach is lacking.

With the potential cost of nationwide PCB remediation in schools estimated to be between $25 billion to $50 billion, the issue highlights the need for federal support and intervention.

Increasing awareness about the presence and dangers of PCBs in school environments, coupled with a push for comprehensive federal and state-level action, is imperative.

It’s crucial to protect the health and well-being of the nation’s children and educators, who remain vulnerable to the long-term effects of these toxic compounds.

Where are PCBs Found in Schools?

In schools, particularly those constructed or renovated between the 1950s and 1980s, PCBs are often embedded in various materials due to their widespread use in the past.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in schools are often found in:

• Fluorescent Light Ballasts (FLBs)
• Caulking, Sealants, and Window Glazing
• Potentially other building materials, such as:
  • Flooring
  • Ceiling tiles
  • Electrical equipment and devices
  • Paints and varnishes

How are People Exposed to PCBs in Schools?

Exposure to PCBs in schools occurs through various routes, primarily due to the degradation of materials.

Exposure to PCBs in school environments occurs through:

1. Airborne Contamination: PCBs from deteriorating materials can volatilize, contaminating the air. This risk is heightened in buildings with PCB-containing materials, regardless of their disturbance.
2. Direct Contact: Handling or contact with PCB-laden materials, like old caulks or paints.
3. Environmental Transfer: PCBs can transfer from contaminated materials to surfaces, leading to indirect exposure.

How are PCBs Discovered in Schools?

The discovery of PCBs in schools often occurs incidentally and can be triggered by several scenarios:

• Maintenance and Renovation Projects: PCBs are frequently uncovered accidentally during construction, renovation, or maintenance activities in older buildings.
• Health Investigations: Unexplained health issues among students or staff can lead to environmental testing, uncovering PCB presence.
• Routine Inspections: While not as common, some schools undergo environmental health inspections where PCBs might be detected.
• Proactive Assessments: In rare cases, schools built or remodeled during the height of PCB use may undergo proactive assessments for these compounds.

Schools built or renovated during the peak PCB production years should particularly be subject to testing and remediation efforts.

Effective detection and remediation are crucial to reduce PCB exposure risks in educational environments.

PCB Health Effects: What Health Problems are Linked to PCB Exposures?

Exposure to PCBs has been linked to a number of potential health effects.

PCBs accumulate in the body, so chronic exposure to PCBs may be especially dangerous.

These health effects have been well-documented by scientific and governmental agencies for decades.

The first available data on the toxicity of PCBs was published in 1931, and studies throughout the following decades began to build a massive body of evidence to suggest that PCBs are extremely dangerous to human health and the environment.

Prolonged inhalation of PCBs in school environments, particularly from deteriorating materials, can lead to systemic health issues, affecting various bodily systems over time.

Direct skin contact with surfaces containing PCBs in educational settings, such as sealants and paints, poses risks of dermal absorption, potentially leading to skin-related conditions and other systemic health effects.

Indirect exposure to PCBs, through secondary contact with contaminated objects or surfaces within school premises, can contribute to cumulative health risks, especially in children whose developing bodies are more susceptible to toxic substances.

Potential Health Effects of PCB Exposure:

• Developmental and Neurological Effects
• Endocrine Disruption
• Immune System Dysfunction
• Reproductive Disorders
• Carcinogenicity
• Liver Damage
• Skin Conditions
• Respiratory Issues

The diverse health effects associated with PCB exposure, ranging from cancer to immune and reproductive system impacts, continue to pose significant risks due to the compounds’ accumulation and persistence in the environment and within biological systems.

Why PCBs are Dangerous

The insidious nature of PCBs in school environments extends beyond basic toxicity, revealing deeper, systemic concerns.

Advanced studies underscore the complexities of PCB interaction with human biology, particularly in younger populations who spend significant time in school settings.

Understanding the risks associated with PCBs in schools requires a focus on their unique impact on health, particularly in young and developing bodies:

1. Long-Term Exposure Risks: PCBs persist in school environments, leading to ongoing exposure. Over time, this can result in significant accumulation in the body, with the potential for more severe health effects, especially in children who are still developing.
2. Hormonal and Developmental Interference: PCBs disrupt hormonal balance and can adversely affect neurological development in students. This disruption can impact learning, behavior, and overall developmental progress, making exposure in schools particularly concerning.
3. Increased Cancer Risk: The carcinogenic nature of PCBs means that prolonged exposure in school settings can heighten the risk of developing cancer later in life, especially since children are more susceptible to environmental toxins.
4. Environmental Spread and Indirect Exposure: PCBs can migrate from building materials into the air and onto surfaces, leading to indirect exposure risks. This environmental spread makes it challenging to fully control exposure within a school setting.
5. Impact on Sensitive Populations: The presence of PCBs in schools can have a more pronounced effect on populations with pre-existing health conditions or those who are more vulnerable due to age or developmental stage. It’s crucial for schools to address these risks to protect all students.

If you’ve been exposed to PCBs in schools and suffered health effects, you may be eligible to file a PCB Lawsuit claim.

Contact us for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page.

Scientific Studies on Exposure to PCBs and Subsequent Health Effects

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to PCBs has been linked to numerous health concerns including cancer.

Being chronically exposed to PCBs or eating contaminated food can result in several health problems.

Below are a number of scientific studies on PCB exposure and its related health effects:

• Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services:  Public Health Implications of Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:  Effects of PCB exposure on neuropsychological function in children.
• University of Michigan and Harvard Medical School:  Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Male Reproduction
• Wayne State University:  Effects of exposure to PCBs and related compounds on growth and activity in children
• National Institute of Health, Environmental and Laboral Health Group (Colombia):  Occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in workers at companies in the Colombian electricity sector
• National Institute of Child Health & Human Development:  Environmental PCB exposure and risk of endometriosis
• European Journal of Cancer Prevention:  Environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and breast cancer: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence
• European Journal of Cancer Prevention:  Occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and cancer risk
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:  Mortality among Workers Exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in an Electrical Capacitor Manufacturing Plant in Indiana: An Update
• University of Brescia:  Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Cancer: An Epidemiological Assessment
• University of Rome Tor Vergata:  Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in the Environment: Occupational and Exposure Events, Effects on Human Health and Fertility

Do You Qualify for a PCB Exposure Lawsuit Claim?

PCBs present in electrical equipment, schools, and older buildings may be putting public health at risk.

If you or a loved one were exposed to PCBs and subsequently developed cancer or other health effects, you may be eligible to file a PCB Lawsuit claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page for an instant case evaluation.

Our attorneys are here to help you through the lawsuit process and protect your rights.

Your PCB Lawyer can help you gather evidence for your claim and assess damages related to PCB exposure.

Gathering Evidence for PCB Exposure Claims

Evidence is important for any mass tort or personal injury case.

In a PCB exposure case, evidence could include the following:

• Medical records
• Employment records
• School records
• Residential information
• Any other proof of exposure to PCBs and subsequent health effects

Assessing Damages for PCB Exposure

Damages refer to the total amount of losses related to being exposed to PCBs and the health effects that may be related.

Damages in a potential PCB Lawsuit may include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional damages
• Lost quality of life
• Permanent disability
• Other compensatory and punitive damages

TorHoerman Law: Investigating Litigation for PCB Exposures

Our law firm is currently investigating potential litigation for those suffering from exposure to PCBs.

If you or a loved one were exposed to PCBs and subsequently developed health problems, you may be eligible to file a PCB Lawsuit claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for more information.

You can also use the chatbot on this page for a free and instant case evaluation.

Reach out to us for more information.

We’re here to help.