Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Management

Unit 4 : Pesticide pollution

4.9.1.3.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
These are a group of synthetic chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and residues have been identified throughout the global ecosystem with widespread contamination. PCBs are used in commercial products such as heat transfer agents, lubricants, insulating and cooling agents, and flame retardants. PCBs similar to DDT and its metabolites, have been implicated in reproductive abnormalities in both wild and domestic birds.

There are a group of synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbons containing 1-8 chlorine atoms per molecule. These are chemically very stable and resist chemical attack. They have been used in electrical equipments and in the manufacture of paints, plastics, adhesives and coating compounds.