![]() of Natural ResourcesĢ.1 In rivers and lakes, PCBs attach to sediments where they can remain buried for a long time before being eventually released into water and air. However, they are very soluble in fat and similar substances, which explains why PCBs can build up in animal fat and along the food chain. PCBs tend not to evaporate or to dissolve easily in water. At high temperatures, PCBs can burn and generate dangerous by-products such as dioxins. Generally, PCBs are very stable which explains their persistence in the environment. Because these atoms can be combined in many different ways, a total of 209 different PCB molecules can be formed. They are made of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. More.ġ.2 All PCBs are man-made and have a similar basic structure. Because of possible impacts on human health and the environment, the use and production of PCBs are now banned or severely restricted in many countries. About 10% of the PCBs produced since 1929 still remain in the environment today. ![]() PCBs may be released into the environment, for instance when waste that contains PCBs is incinerated or stored in landfills. Polychlorinated biphenyls, in short PCBs, are a group of man-made chemicals.ġ.1 PCBs have been used in many different products, including electrical equipment, surface coatings, inks, adhesives, flame-retardants, and paints.
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