polychlorinated biphenyl

American  

[pol-ee-klawr-uh-ney-tid bahy-fen-l, ‐-feen-l] / ˌpɒl iˈklɔr əˌneɪ tɪd baɪˈfɛn l, ‐ˈfin l /

noun

Chemistry.

1. PCB.

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polychlorinated biphenyl British  

/ 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

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polychlorinated biphenyl Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-klôr′ə-nā′tĭd /

1. See PCB

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Etymology

Origin of polychlorinated biphenyl

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.

From Seattle Times

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

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From The Wall Street Journal