PCBs
Toxic industrial compounds
PCBs are polychlorinated biphenyls—synthetic chemicals once widely used as coolants and insulating fluids in electrical equipment.
Their chemical stability, which made them useful industrially, also makes them persistent environmental pollutants.
PCBs accumulate in the food chain and are linked to cancer and other health problems.
Manufacturing was banned in most countries by the 1980s, but contamination persists: The river sediment still contains dangerous levels of PCBs.
Introduction of impurities
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
dioxins · sediment · soil contamination · groundwater · wildlife · food chain · biomagnification · Hudson River
Charge-storing circuit components
- transformersVoltage-altering electrical devices
- dielectricPolarizable electrical non-conductor
- coolantTemperature-regulating fluid
- hydraulicRelating to pressurized liquids
electrical equipment · heat transfer · carbonless paper · plasticizers · flame retardants · switchgear · voltage regulators · caulking
Federal environmental regulator
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- prohibitionAuthoritative legal ban
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
remediation · cleanup · incineration · phase-out · restrictions · environmental law · liability · enforcement
Extracting underwater sediment
- cappingSetting an upper limit
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- excavationAct of unearthing
- thermal desorptionHeat-induced pollutant vaporization
risk assessment · containment · decontamination · brownfield · cleanup costs · environmental restoration
Cancer-promoting agent
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- liver damageHarm to detoxifying organ
- skin lesionsDamaged areas of dermis
- chronic exposureRepeated long-term contact
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
hazardous · dioxins · sediment · soil contamination · groundwater · wildlife · food chain · biomagnification · Hudson River · Superfund
capacitors
Charge-storing circuit components
- transformersVoltage-altering electrical devices
- dielectricPolarizable electrical non-conductor
- coolantTemperature-regulating fluid
hydraulic · electrical equipment · heat transfer · carbonless paper · plasticizers · flame retardants · switchgear · voltage regulators · caulking · sealants
EPA
Federal environmental regulator
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- prohibitionAuthoritative legal ban
- complianceAdhering to requirements
monitoring · remediation · cleanup · incineration · phase-out · restrictions · environmental law · liability · enforcement · safety standards
dredging
Extracting underwater sediment
- cappingSetting an upper limit
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- excavationAct of unearthing
thermal desorption · risk assessment · containment · decontamination · brownfield · cleanup costs · environmental restoration
carcinogen
Cancer-promoting agent
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- liver damageHarm to detoxifying organ
- skin lesionsDamaged areas of dermis
chronic exposure · cancer risk · cognitive impairment · prenatal exposure
- biphenyls
- electronicscomputer, resistors, capacitors, TVs, TV
- pollutionair pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, smog, toxic waste
- Contaminantspollutants, pollutant, heavy metals, toxin, pesticides
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, contamination, tripping hazard
- ocean pollutionoil spills, plastic pollution, marine debris, plastic waste, toxic waste
Resources with minimal environmental impact
clean technology · natural substances · organic compounds · bioplastics