Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Definition

PCBs are man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. They were used in numerous industrial applications but were banned due to their environmental persistence and potential health risks.

Analogy

Imagine PCBs as plastic bags - they were once widely used because they're durable and resistant, but just like plastic bags don't decompose easily in nature, PCBs also persist for long periods in the environment causing harm to wildlife and potentially humans.

Related terms

Bioaccumulation: This refers to the accumulation of substances such as pesticides or other chemicals in an organism. PCBs are known for their bioaccumulative properties.

Endocrine Disruptors: These are chemicals that can interfere with endocrine systems at certain doses. Some studies suggest that PCBs may act as endocrine disruptors.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): These are organic compounds resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Because of this, they persist in the environment, bioaccumulate, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. PCBs are classified as POPs.