The induction of subtle neurobehavioral alterations in children
may be a critical aspect for the risk assessment of “background”
intakes of both DL and NDL PCBs in the general population. Several
NDL PCB congeners are metabolised to hydroxy-PCB that act as
indirect estrogenic agents by increasing the amount of free estrogens
available to the organism. Some endocrine effects (lower markers of
thyroid function in both sexes) in humans have been directly related
to the intake of fish, associated with higher plasma PCB levels.