BIOL354 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Polychlorinated Biphenyl, Hydraulic Fluid, Furan
5 Jun 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Pcbs: polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs, very stable, relatively inflammable, nonconducting man-made product, used for a variety of purposes. Eg. insulating fluid in electrical equipment, hydraulic fluid, sealing compounds, paints: use has been sharply reduced they are widespread in the environment persistent & hydrophobic. Mixture of various forms or position of chlorines there are 209 different congeners (combinations) The number of cl and their positions will have physical and chemical effect, generally no smell and range in consistency as waxy to liquid: all environmental pcbs are of anthropogenic origin no natural formation. Low acute toxicity interfere with the endocrine system of vertebrates. A byproduct of chlorination/bleaching processes and incomplete combustion of organics. 2 classes: polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (pcdds) dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (pcdfs) furans, many congeners of both 210 in total. Dioxin structure: ex tcdd, 4 chlorine atoms 2 benzene rings, 2 oxygen bridges, # of chlorine determine toxicity of the compounds.
