Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were manufactured until the 1970s and were used in a wide variety of products such as electrical equipment, light ballasts, paints and caulks, PVC, pesticides, cutting oils, hydraulic fluids, adhesives, waterproofing compounds, and countless other products. Their widespread use is the result of their unique properties such as chemical stability, low flammability, and insulating qualities among others. But, these same properties are also the reason why PCBs remain as persistent organic pollutants in the environment. While the jury is still out, some researchers even suspect that PCBs may have a slow volatility component that represents a significant human exposure risk. Because of the toxicity and associated costs and liability risks, PCB-contaminated sites are often seen as undevelopable. At the very least, PCBs create a significant roadblock to the re-development of countless industrial and commercial sites across the country.
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