"Rising Levels of Unintentional PCB Generation Post-Ban"

A study suggests that unintentional generation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may be producing more of the chemicals than before they were banned in the 1980s. Researchers found evidence that products manufactured today are generating PCBs as byproducts, estimating an annual production rate of approximately 43,000 metric tons in the United States, surpassing the highest known amount produced directly in 1970. The study highlights the lack of monitoring and regulation of unintentional PCB generation, calling for further research to identify and regulate products leading to their creation.