Background+Information

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

//There once was// a chemical named ** Polychlorinated Biphenyl, **also known as PCB’s. This chemical was one of many belonging to man-made organic chemicals known as Chlorinated Hydrocarbons. This chemical was produced in the United States. It began being created in 1929 but was banned shortly in 1979. This chemical can be toxic and dangerous. Many people used PCB’s in their everyday home life. It was used commercially in fluorescent light ballasts, cable insulation, oil-based paint, plastics, caulking, carbonless copy paper, floor finish, and many other things that are used in the home. The PCB’s that were used in those products above were chemical mixtures of a variety of individual Chlorinated Biphenyl components or congeners. Because PCB’s are non-flammable, they have a strong chemical stability, and a high boiling point; they were used a lot in industrial and commercial applications. People used this chemical to transfer heat and as plasticizers in paints, plastics, and rubber products, oil-based paint, plastics, caulking, carbonless copy paper, floor finish, and many other things that are used in the home. The PCB’s that were used in those products above were chemical mixtures of a variety of individual Chlorinated Biphenyl components or congeners. Because PCB’s are non-flammable, they have a strong chemical stability, and a high boiling point; they were used a lot in industrial and commercial applications. People used this chemical to transfer heat and as plasticizers in paints, plastics, and rubber products.