The use of pesticides and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and their potential roles in environmental pollution in Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction The persistence of chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds in the environment, their accumulation in the food chains, and their biological effects are well known. Two major groups of chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds have been prominent as environmental pollutants in the global ecosystem. The first group is that of the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides (or organo-chlorine insecticides such as DDT and dieldrin) and the second group is the industrial additives called PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). The hazards, persistence, and the biological effects of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides have been well reviewed in many books (Edwards, 1970; Gillett, 1970; Gould, 1966; Kraybill, 1969; Miller and Berg, 1969). The hazards of pesticides use have been further brought to the attention of general public in the greatly exaggerated book "Silent Spring" of Rachel Carson (1962). On the other hand, views on the need for pesticide use were discussed by Whitten (1966). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as a group has been used in industry for at least 40 years. However, the environmental hazards of PCBs were not brought to light until 1966 (Jensen, 1966, 1972). In Malaysia, there is very little information on the use of pesticides for pest control although the use is widespread. Commercial and industrial products containing PCBs are used very widely but little consideration has been given to the hazards of this group of compounds.