Chemical name: 1,1'-Biphenyl, chloro derivs.

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

No known use of the chemical in Guyana prior to the final regulatory action.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

All formulations or preparations and all use prohibited by the final regulatory action.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control (Prohibited pesticides) Order No.4 of 2015 made under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act 2000 (No 13 of 2000) Prohibits importation, sale and use of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Occupational/Use: inhalation is main route of absorption. Occupational Exposure Limit: 0.5 mg/m3 (8 h TWA). In the fatty tissue of occupationally exposed men concentrations up to 700 mg/kg have been found.

Persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation in the human food chain, extremely toxic impurities, formation of extremely toxic substances on thermolysis, harmful to human health, chronic toxicity, contamination of the environment.\

Human studies have shown that PCB exposure leads to skin abnormalities (acne- form), although there is strong evidence that this occurs only in combination with polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Accidental poisoning suggests that effects may be retardation of foetal growth and alteration on fetal growth retardation and alteration of calcium metabolism related to hormonal dysfunction. There is strong evidence from human mortality studies that PCBs produce cancer of liver, biliary tract and gall bladder.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The possibility of risks and exposure to this chemical by humans decreased.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Fate: PCBs with five or more chlorines are quite resistant to biodegradation, but photolysis may result in some breakdown of highly-chlorinated PCBs. The half-life in soil is 5 years.

Effects: the bioconcentration factor in fish and crustacea is 270,000. LD50 fish: 3-3000 /µg/1, crustacea: 10-2400 /µg/1 (Aroclor 1254 very sensitive). Permissible concentration in water to protect aquatic life: 30 /µg/1. Persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation in the human food chain, extremely toxic impurities, formation of extremely toxic substances on thermolysis, harmful to human health, chronic toxicity, contamination of the environment.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

Reduce exposure to aquatic life, avian life and other animals.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 02/04/2015