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POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS: PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS
Citation:
Safe, S. POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS: PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/D-89/236.
Description:
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are industrial chemical products which are synthesized by the direct chlorination of biphenyl. he degree of biphenyl ring chlorination determines the physical properties and applications of commercial PCBs and, therefore, it is not surprising that these compounds were marketed and sold according to their chlorine content. or example, Aroclors 1221, 1232, 1242 and 1254 were produced by the Monsanto Chemical Co. and contain 21, 32, 42, and 54% (by weight) chlorine content. ommercial PCBs are distinguished by their stability and resistance to breakdown by acids, bases, oxidation and reduction, their miscibility with numerous organic solvents, their non-flammability and their excellent electrical insulation properties. ecause of these highly desirable physical properties PCBs have enjoyed widespread use as industrial fluids, flame retardants, diluents, hydraulic fluids and as dielectric fluids for capacitors and transformers. lthough the total world production of commercial PCBs is unknown, the figure is well in excess of 10 9 lbs.