Abstract
ABSTRACT
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) first became recognized as an environmental issue in approximately 1970. Before that, analytical limitations precluded their accurate and convenient detection in environmental samples. Over the next several years, gas chromatography advances, extensive environmental sampling throughout the world, and numerous regulatory agency activities led to a better and broader understanding of PCBs as an environmental issue. By the late 1970s, this learning phase culminated with tight regulatory controls being established on PCB use and disposal. To this day, however, PCB toxicity and the effects of environmental concentrations on human health are not well understood and regulatory control continues to evolve.
Key words:
PCBs; gas chromatography; Aroclor; TSCA
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