L.J. Devon
Polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) were banned in the US about three decades ago, but the negative effects of these chemical compounds continue to show up in seniors.
Maryse Bouchard, a researcher from the University of Montreal and CHU Sainte-Justine, has made a significant association between high PCB exposure and lower cognitive abilities in seniors aged 70 to 84 years. Bouchard reports, “While most studies have looked at the impact of PCBs on infant development, our research shows that this toxin might affect us throughout our lives.”
PCBs phased out decades ago, but still lurking in individuals
For over 40 years, the production of PCBs has been phased out of manufacturing, but this hasn’t stopped the chemicals from lingering around, especially in seniors. In the study from the University of Montreal, PCBs were still found lingering in the blood of all individuals studied. In the study, 708 Americans’ blood samples were collected to determine the levels of toxins in their bodies. The participants completed a memory and motor skills test to determine their cognitive performance in the presence of PCBs.
PCB levels were pervasive in the participants’ blood. Even levels generally considered safe, posing low risk, were associated with cognitive deficits in the elder participants.
Bouchard summed up the results, “Aging persons could be at particular risk because of higher cumulative exposure built up across a lifetime, susceptibility due to underlying medical conditions, such as vascular disorders, and diminished cognitive reserve capacity.”
Since PCBs accumulate in the lipid tissues of mammals and marine life, they can spread throughout the food chain. With their ability to spread and reside in animal cells, PCBs have made a home in the cells of human populations.