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Silent Poison - The Trajectory of PCB Contamination and a Warning for the Future PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) were widely used in insulating oils and paints, but their carcinogenic properties and harmful effects on ecosystems became evident, leading to a ban on their manufacture and use in 1972. However, due to improper disposal and illegal dumping, large quantities of PCBs remained in the environment. By the 1990s, this "negative legacy" had been buried in administrative gaps, and appropriate countermeasures failed to progress. In 2000, research by Yokohama National University revealed that 60% of Japanese dioxin intake originated from environmental PCBs. Highly fat-soluble, PCBs cause bioaccumulation, raising particular concerns about impacts through aquatic resources. The PCB Special Measures Law was enacted, and disposal efforts began, but high costs and technical challenges posed significant barriers. While the goal is to complete PCB waste disposal by 2027, a large
amount of untreated waste remains as of 2025. The effects of past environmental contamination persist today, demanding swift countermeasures.