Total polychlorinated biphenyls* (PCBs) Insulating fluid in electrical transformers and in production of hydraulic fluids, lubricants and inks. Includes 209 related chemicals of varying toxicity. Enters from air or in sediments. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Chemicals in herbicides used in agriculture and for prairie and forest management (element in Agent Orange herbicide used in the Vietnam War.) Also a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and wastes, and of pulp and paper production processes. This chemical is the most toxic of 75 forms of dioxin. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) Chemicals in herbicides used in agriculture and for prairie and forest management. Also a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and wastes, and of pulp and paper production processes. This chemical is the most toxic of 135 types of furan. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane** (DDT) and its components (including DDE) Insecticide still used heavily for mosquito control in tropical areas on other continents. Enters from air or in sediments. Dieldrin** Insecticide used on fruits. Enters from air or in sediments. Toxaphene** Insecticide developed as substitute for DDT. Used on cotton. Enters from air or in sediments. Mirex*** Fire retardant and pesticide used to control fire ants. Breaks down to more potent chemical, photomirex, in presence of sunlight. Enters from air or sediments. Mercury Used in metallurgy. A byproduct of paint, chlor-alkali and electrical equipment production. Also occurs naturally in soils and sediments. Alkylated lead Fuel additive. Also used in solder, pipes and paint. Released when burning fuel, wastes, and cigarettes. Also released from pipes, cans and paint chips. Benzo(a)pyrene Produced when fossil fuels, wood, wastes and charcoal are burned, and from automobile exhaust. One of many forms of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) Byproduct of burning fuels and wastes, and of the manufacture of chlorine. An element in chlorinated processes. - International Joint Commission More about Great Lakes Toxic Contaminants on the Great Lakes Information Network © University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute all audio, images and video used with permission last updated 22 February 2001 This page created November 1995 Updated by Wittman Design by Tina Yao tlyao@seagrant.wisc.edu http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/Communications/Publications/One-pagers/CriticalPollutants .html
Total polychlorinated biphenyls* (PCBs) Insulating fluid in electrical transformers and in production of hydraulic fluids, lubricants and inks. Includes 209 related chemicals of varying toxicity. Enters from air or in sediments.
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Chemicals in herbicides used in agriculture and for prairie and forest management (element in Agent Orange herbicide used in the Vietnam War.) Also a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and wastes, and of pulp and paper production processes. This chemical is the most toxic of 75 forms of dioxin.
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) Chemicals in herbicides used in agriculture and for prairie and forest management. Also a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and wastes, and of pulp and paper production processes. This chemical is the most toxic of 135 types of furan.
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane** (DDT) and its components (including DDE) Insecticide still used heavily for mosquito control in tropical areas on other continents. Enters from air or in sediments.
Dieldrin** Insecticide used on fruits. Enters from air or in sediments.
Toxaphene** Insecticide developed as substitute for DDT. Used on cotton. Enters from air or in sediments.
Mirex*** Fire retardant and pesticide used to control fire ants. Breaks down to more potent chemical, photomirex, in presence of sunlight. Enters from air or sediments.
Mercury Used in metallurgy. A byproduct of paint, chlor-alkali and electrical equipment production. Also occurs naturally in soils and sediments.
Alkylated lead Fuel additive. Also used in solder, pipes and paint. Released when burning fuel, wastes, and cigarettes. Also released from pipes, cans and paint chips.
Benzo(a)pyrene Produced when fossil fuels, wood, wastes and charcoal are burned, and from automobile exhaust. One of many forms of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs.
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) Byproduct of burning fuels and wastes, and of the manufacture of chlorine. An element in chlorinated processes.
- International Joint Commission
More about Great Lakes Toxic Contaminants on the Great Lakes Information Network © University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute all audio, images and video used with permission last updated 22 February 2001
More about Great Lakes Toxic Contaminants on the Great Lakes Information Network
© University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute all audio, images and video used with permission
last updated 22 February 2001
This page created November 1995 Updated by Wittman Design by Tina Yao tlyao@seagrant.wisc.edu
http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/Communications/Publications/One-pagers/CriticalPollutants .html
