Pentachlorophenol

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a highly toxic chemical whose main commercial use, now no longer permissible, had been as a wood preservative to protect wood from fungal decay and wood-boring insects. It was used on a variety of wood items including utility poles, fence posts, cross arms and logs for log homes. In addition, PCP was also used as an herbicide (agricultural chemical) as well as an insecticide for termite control.

PCP disrupts cellular energy production with acute exposure resulting in adverse circulatory system effects including heart failure.

PCP is released into the environment, concentrating in soil, air and water, as a result of its production and use. As such, it has entered into the food chain, and eating food products grown in or exposed to PCP-contaminated soil is thought to be the primary source of exposure to this chemical. In numerous studies conducted by the Food and Drug Administration between the 1970s and 1990s, PCP residues have been detected in a variety of different foodstuffs including, but not limited to, meat, fish, poultry, grains, and oils. As PCP has been identified in some drinking water samples, unfiltered contaminated tap water may also serve as a source of exposure, although it is estimated to be of less general concern than food exposure.

Major occupational exposure to PCP includes persons in the electric services industry who work on wood utility poles and who had been involved in wood treatment. Additionally, individuals may be exposed to this toxin if they lived in or manufactured PCP-treated log homes.

PCP is very effective at disrupting a cellular energy-producing process known as oxidative phosphorylation. This results in a diminished supply of cellular energy available to power the cells, which causes the inefficient functioning of many body systems. In cases of acute PCP poisoning, some of the effects of disrupted oxidative phosphorylation and the resultant lowering of energy production have been noticed in the circulatory system with outcomes including heart failure.

Although there has not been enough research conducted involving humans to clearly establish PCP as a carcinogen (chemical capable of causing cancer), because there is sufficient evidence that it is carcinogenic to animals, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies PCP as a probable human carcinogen.

Individuals may be exposed to this toxin if they lived in or manufactured PCP-treated log homes. Major occupational exposure to PCP includes persons in the electric services industry who work on wood utility poles and persons who have been involved in wood treatment.

PCP was primarily used as a wood preservative to protect wood from fungal decay and wood-boring insects before this application was banned. It had been used on a variety of wood items including utility poles, fence posts, cross arms and logs for log homes. In addition, PCP was also used as an herbicide (agricultural chemical) as well as an insecticide for termite control.

PCP is released into the environment, concentrating in soil, air and water, as a result of its production and use. As such, it has entered into the food chain with ingestion of food products grown in or exposed to PCP-contaminated soil thought to be the primary source of exposure to this chemical. In numerous studies conducted by the Food and Drug Administration between the 1970s and 1990s, PCP residues have been detected in a variety of different foodstuffs including, but not limited to, meat, fish, poultry, grains, and oils. As PCP has been identified in some drinking water samples, unfiltered contaminated tap water may also serve as a source of exposure, although it is estimated to be of less general concern than food exposure.

Probable human carcinogen

PCP is very effective at disrupting a cellular energy-producing process known as oxidative phosphorylation. This results in a diminished supply of cellular energy available to power the cells, which causes the inefficient functioning of many body systems. In cases of acute PCP poisoning, some of the effects of disrupted oxidative phosphorylation and resultant energy depletion have been noticed in the circulatory system with outcomes including heart failure. Although there has not been enough research conducted involving humans to clearly establish PCP as a carcinogen (chemical capable of causing cancer), reflecting that there is sufficient evidence that it is carcinogenic to animals, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies PCP as a probable human carcinogen.