Polychlorinated Biphenyls

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-021474",
  "term": "Polychlorinated Biphenyls",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in electrical transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes, and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. The sale and new use of PCBs were banned by law in 1979.\n\n2. Please see the ATSDR fact sheet for PCBs.\n\n3. A chemical contaminant that was once used as a flame retardant in electrical equipment. Though their production has been banned since 1977, PCBs persist in the environment, posing a risk to humans and wildlife.\n\n4. A type of organic chemical with chlorine atoms that was extensively used in industry for a variety of purposes, but is now banned. Studies have shown that PCBs can cause cancer in rats and possibly in humans.\n\n5. A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in electrical transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes, and in gas pipeline systems as lubricant. The sale and new use of these chemicals, also known as PCBs, were banned by law in 1979.\n\n6. A family of compounds commonly used in electric transformers as insulators and coolants, in lubricants, adhesives, and caulking compounds. From 1957 until 1971, they were also used in some processes for manufacturing recycled paper. PCBs are extremely persistent in the environment because they do not readily break down into less harmful chemicals.\n\n7. Polychlorinated biphenyls belong to a broad family of human-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PCBs were domestically manufactured from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. They have a range of toxicity and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. Due to their nonflammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including electrical, heat transfer and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints, plastics and rubber products; in pigments, dyes and carbonless copy paper; and many other industrial applications.\n\n8. A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in transformers and capacitors. They often accumulate in sediments, fish, and wildlife and have been associated with health problems.\n\n9. The regulations issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA, 15 USC 2601 et seq.), 40 CFR Section 461.3, define polychlorinated biphenyls or PCB and PCBs as \"any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule that has been chlorinated to varying degrees or any combination of substances which contains such substance.\" Please note that the Brownfields Law excludes from funding eligibility portions of facilities where there has been a release of PCBs that are subject to remediation under TSCA.\n\n10. Any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule that has been chlorinated to varying degrees or any combination of substances which contains such substance.\n\n11. A mixture of chlorinated derivatives of biphenyl, marketed under the trade name Aroclor with a number designating the chlorine content (such as Aroclor 1260). PCBs were used in transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. Further sale for new use was banned by law in 1979.\n\n12. Industrial products consisting of a mixture of chlorinated biphenyl congeners and isomers. These compounds are highly lipophilic and tend to accumulate in fat stores of animals. Many of these compounds are considered toxic and potential environmental pollutants.\n\n13. Any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule and that has been chlorinated to varying degrees. [40 CFR 704.43 (CFR 2013)]\n\n14. Mixture of compounds composed of the biphenyl molecule which has been chlorinated to varying degrees.\n\n15. Any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule that has been chlorinated to varying degrees or any combination of substances which contains such substance. Refer to § 761.1(b) for applicable concentrations of PCBs.\n\n16. Halogenated organic compounds defined in accordance with 40 CFR 761.3.\n\n17. Polychlorinated biphenyls as defined under § 761.3. As specified under § 761.1(b), no requirements may be avoided through dilution of the PCB concentration.\n\n18. Any or all of the 209 possible chlorinated biphenyl isomers.\n\n19. Polychlorinated biphenyls belong to a broad family of human-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PCBs were domestically manufactured from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. They have a range of toxicity and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. Due to their nonflammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including electrical, heat transfer and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints, plastics and rubber products; in pigments, dyes and carbonless copy paper; and many other industrial applications. Acronym: PCBs\n\n20. Group of man-made organic chemicals with a range of toxicity. Although manufacturing of PCBs was banned in the U.S. in 1979, PCBs are long-lasting in fish tissue and in bottom-sediments of rivers and lakes. PCBs in fish that are eaten by humans and wildlife can build up and may have cancer-causing and other health effects. PCB contamination has caused many fishing bans and warnings.\n\n21. Chemical contaminant that was once used as a flame retardant in electrical equipment. Though their production has been banned since 1977, PCBs persist in the environment, posing a risk to humans and wildlife.\n\n22. A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in electrical transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes, and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. The sale and new use of PCBs were banned by law in 1979 although large reservoirs of PCBs remain in the environment.",
  "abbreviation": "PCBs",
  "synonyms": [
    "CAS Number: 1336-36-3",
    "PCB"
  ],
  "subject": "Land, waste and cleanup",
  "references": [
    "Environmental Issues Glossary; Environmental Issues Terms & Acronyms; Childrens Health Protection Glossary",
    "RCRA Glossary of Terms",
    "Chesapeake Bay Glossary",
    "Ecological Risk Assessment Glossary of Terms",
    "Terms of Environment; Region 5 Cleanup Site: Environmental Glossary",
    "Region 5 Cleanup Sites Glossary",
    "School Siting Guidelines Glossary",
    "Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) Glossary",
    "Brownfields Profile Glossary",
    "PCB Glossary",
    "USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program Glossary",
    "NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)",
    "40 CFR 704.45 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 129.4 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 761.3 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 268.2 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 761.123 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 63.842 (CFR 2016)",
    "HMW Glossary",
    "America's Children and the Environment Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/polychlorinated-biphenyls/"
}