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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of toxic chemicals that paper companies used in making carbonless copy paper between 1957 and 1971. PCBs were discharged to the Fox River as a result of producing and recycling the paper. They adhered to river bottom sediments which were transported over time to the bay as water currents carried them downstream. A 2002 report by The RETEC Group, Inc characterized the distribution of PCBs in the bay (Green Bay Sediment Results from July 2002 Survey, Green Bay, Wisconsin. pdf, 12 Mb).
PCBs are a concern because they are probable human carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Non-cancer health effects have been associated with consuming fish that contain PCBs (refer to the Public Health Assessment for PCB Contaminated Sediment in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay, 2006. pdf, 424 Kb).
The PCB cleanup project is underway. More information is available at WDNR's Fox River/Green Bay Cleanup Project web site.
The Green Bay Press Gazette maintains a web page with newspaper stories about the PCB cleanup:
www.greenbaypressgazette.com/foxrivercleanup
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