Can PCBs in contaminated fish cause liver disease?

What's actually in it

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were industrial chemicals used through the 1970s and banned in the U.S. in 1979. The problem: they're still in the environment. They accumulate in fish fat, particularly in larger predatory fish and in fish from contaminated lakes. They also remain in some older building materials and electrical equipment.

PCBs are fat-soluble. They accumulate in your liver and adipose tissue. They're endocrine disruptors and carcinogens.

What the research says

A 2026 review in Cells examined evidence linking PCBs to metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (fatty liver disease, MASLD). Researchers found that PCB exposure disrupts lipid metabolism and promotes fat accumulation in the liver through multiple mechanisms, contributing to MASLD development. People with higher PCB body burden were more likely to develop fatty liver disease.

Freshwater fish from contaminated areas (Great Lakes, some rivers) have the highest PCB levels. Canned fish like salmon and tuna from the open ocean are generally lower. Farmed fish fed contaminated feed can also be elevated.

Check fish advisories for local waters. For food storage, use glass food storage rather than plastic containers, which can add phthalate exposure on top of dietary PCBs.