PBB

American  

Chemistry.

1. any of the highly toxic and possibly carcinogenic aromatic compounds consisting of two benzene rings in which bromine takes the place of two or more hydrogen atoms: used as a fire retardant and additive for plastics.

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Etymology

Origin of PBB

p(oly)b(rominated) b(iphenyl)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

PBB

Mr. Milliken faced a disaster in 1973 when a chemical company accidentally shipped fire retardant containing highly toxic polybrominated biphenyl, or PBB, instead of cattle feed to thousands of farmers.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 19, 2019

Milliken faced a disaster in 1973 when a chemical company accidentally shipped fire retardant containing highly toxic polybrominated biphenyl, or PBB, instead of cattle feed to thousands of farmers.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 18, 2019

Gerald Woltjer, 39, who has lost 600 cows because of PBB contamination during the past two years, feels that the state agriculture department was indifferent to early reports about PBB poisoning.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since the PBB contamination was discovered in Michigan in May 1974, Farm Bureau Services and Michigan Chemical Corp., which produced the PBBs, have settled 500 claims from farmers at a cost of $30 million.

From Time Magazine Archive

PBB: As you can see, sometimes the choice of / or me makes a difference in your meaning.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner