Are polychlorinated biphenyls water soluble?

In general, PCBs are relatively insoluble in water, and the solubility decreases with increased chlorination (see Table 4-3). PCBs are also freely soluble in nonpolar organic solvents and biological lipids (EPA 1980b).

Are PCBs hydrophobic or hydrophilic?

PCBs and BaP are both hydrophobic and have low aqueous solubility.

What are the properties of polychlorinated biphenyls?

Due to their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including: Electrical, heat transfer and hydraulic equipment. Plasticizers in paints, plastics and rubber products.

How are humans exposed to PCBs?

People are exposed to PCBs primarily from contaminated food and breathing contaminated air. The major dietary sources of PCBs are fish (especially sportfish that were caught in contaminated lakes or rivers), meat, and dairy products.

How do PCBs get into water?

Fish and small organisms can absorb PCBs from the water and sediments in their habitat. The PCBs accumulate in the food chain when bigger fish consume contaminated smaller fish or organisms. The contamination is passed up the food chain and can reach levels thousands of times higher than the actual levels in the water.

How many types of polychlorinated biphenyls are there?

About 130 different individual PCBs are found in commercial PCB products.

How does PCBs get into water?

What is the meaning of polychlorinated biphenyls?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of manmade chemicals. They are oily liquids or solids, clear to yellow in color, with no smell or taste. PCBs are very stable mixtures that are resistant to extreme temperature and pressure. PCBs were used widely in electrical equipment like capacitors and transformers.

What are polychlorinated biphenyls used for?

PCBs have been used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment because they don’t burn easily and are good insulators. The manufacture of PCBs was stopped in the U.S. in 1977 because of evidence they build up in the environment and can cause harmful health effects.

What are polychlorinated biphenyls?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of chlorinated organic chemicals that are used for a variety of industrial and commercial purposes. Polychlorinated biphenyl is not a single chemical, but a group of related chemicals.

What is bioremediation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)?

The use of microorganisms to degrade PCBs from contaminated sites, relying on multiple microorganisms’ co-metabolism, is known as bioremediation of polychlorinated biphenyl. Some micro-organisms degrade PCBs by reducing the C-Cl bonds.

What is the CAS number of biphenyl in PCB?

In PCBs, some of the hydrogen atoms in biphenyl are replaced by chlorine atoms. There are 209 different chemical compounds in which one to ten chlorine atoms can replace hydrogen atoms. PCBs are typically used as mixtures of compounds and are given the single identifying CAS number 1336-36-3 .

Why is the solubility curve of 4-chlorobiphenyl parabolic?

This may explain the parabolic shaped curve when the logarithmic solubility of 4-chlorobiphenyl is plotted versus the benzyl alcohol concentration. The solubility of the PCB solutes in the benzene/water system was also observed to be reduced over that measured in pure water.