polychlorinated biphenyl

[pol-ee-klawr-uh-ney-tid bahy-fen-l, ‐-feen-l]

noun

Chemistry.

1. PCB.

polychlorinated biphenyl

/ ˌpɒlɪˈklɔːrɪˌneɪtɪd /

noun

1. PCB. any of a group of compounds in which chlorine atoms replace the hydrogen atoms in biphenyl: used in industry in electrical insulators and in the manufacture of plastics; a toxic pollutant that can become concentrated in animal tissue

polychlorinated biphenyl

1. See PCB

Word History and Origins

Origin of polychlorinated biphenyl¹

First recorded in 1960–65; poly- + chlorinated ( def. )

Example Sentences

The environmental authority for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Leverkusen is located, said Wednesday that the smoke contained dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyl and furan compounds.

Read more on Seattle Times

Officials believe the polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, contamination was caused by electrical transformers that served the reactor site.

Read more on Washington Times

I grew up in New York in the 1960s hearing about massive Polychlorinated Biphenyl – a toxic chemical used as a coolant – contamination in the Hudson River and the threatened extinction of bald eagles and ospreys from eating contaminated fish.

Read more on The Guardian

In its review, the agency said that while polychlorinated biphenyl levels in fish remain high, more dredging doesn’t seem necessary for now.

Read more on Washington Times

Monsanto also addressed a long-running legal battle around polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, chemical compounds manufactured by its former corporate iteration that for decades were widely used in electrical wiring, caulking and other industrial functions but were found to be a major pollutant and raised health concerns.

Read more on Wall Street Journal