PCBs are chemically inertness, durable to heat, and have insulating properties. For having these convenient characteristics, PCBs are used in wide range of products.

However, PCBs cause adverse effects to humans. In Japan, an incident called the Kanemi Usho Case occurred in 1968. Many people became victims in this case because of the rice oil contaminated with PCBs. This incident aroused interest among people on the toxic characteristics of PCBs.

The research regarding toxicity of PCBs have been continued. Toxicity of Coplanner PCBs is the same as the dioxin. The PCBs have characteristics as carcinogen and Endocrine disruptor. Therefore we worry that PCBs give adverse effects to younger generations.

Organisms cannot resolve PCBs so. PCBs are bioaccumlated through food chain. Thus high level organisms in food chain, such as fish, bird, human etc. accumulated high level PCBs.

This figure shows PCBs concentration of air in Asia pacific region. This bar shows 1ng/m3. PCBs are detected all around the world, in Asia region too. It is difficult to recover the environment into stage where PCBs pollution never exist. But we should eliminate the source of PCBs, to prevent further PCBs pollution. It is impossible to do just by one country, so all the countries should cooperate. We planned this working group and the symposium for exchanging information and for capacity building. Thank you very much for your cooperation.