Adding bacteria that can break down polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to contaminated sediments reduced the release of the chemicals into surrounding air, according to NIEHS-funded researchers. The approach may decrease PCB inhalation exposure near PCB-contaminated sites. PCBs are a family of more than 200 structurally similar chemicals that have been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including some cancers.
Bako CM, Martinez A, Ewald JM, Hua JBX, Ramotowski DJ, Dong Q, Schnoor JL, Mattes TE. (2022). Aerobic bioaugmentation to decrease polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) emissions from contaminated sediments to air. Environ Sci Technol 56(20):14338–14349. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c01043