Dictionary

polychlorinated biphenyl en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˌpɒlɪˌklɔːrɪneɪtɪd ˈbaɪfənɪl/ (UK)
• /ˌpoʊliˌklɔrəˌneɪtəd ˈbaɪfənɪl/ (US)

Meanings

1. Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds formed by the chlorination of the hydrocarbon biphenyl; they have many industrial applications but are now considered persistent organic pollutants.
   • The microbes devoured the chlorides in the earth; as metabolic byproducts, they produced toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). By the time the infestation was contained an area of nearly 30 square kilometers had been effectively turned into a toxic waste dump. 2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Nepyma:
   • Another environmental factor thought to be affecting some coastal birds, although comparatively little is yet known about its extent or origin, is the presence of marine pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and toxic heavy metals. 1986, Valerie M. Thom, “Coastal habitats”, in Birds in Scotland, London: T & AD Poyser, published 2011, →ISBN, page 25:

Forms

Coordinates

monochlorobiphenyl · decachlorobiphenyl · heptachlorobiphenyl · hexachlorobiphenyl · pentachlorobiphenyl · trichlorobiphenyl · nonachlorobiphenyl · dichlorobiphenyl · octachlorobiphenyl · tetrachlorobiphenyl

Synonyms

PCB

Translations (3)

es policlorobifenilo (PCB) · gl bifenilo policlorado (PCB) · cmn 多氯聯苯 /多氯联苯 (PCB)