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Terms & Acronyms

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Term	Acronym	Vocabulary	Vocabulary Type	Definitions
Air Permitting & Compliance Branch	APCB		Abbreviation and Acronym List
Marine Pollution Control Branch	MPCB		Abbreviation and Acronym List
Polychlorinated Biphenyl	PCB		Abbreviation and Acronym List
Polychlorinated Biphenyl	PCB		Abbreviation and Acronym List
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCB, PCBs	CADDIS Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List
Polychlorinated biphenyls	PCB	Hazard Ranking System Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List
PCB		Web Taxonomy-Substances	Taxonomy
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCB	Region 5 Cleanup Site: Environmental Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in electrical transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes, and in gas pipeline systems as lubricant. The sale and new use of these chemicals, also known as PCBs, were banned by law in 1979.
PCB Fingerprinting		Hudson River PCBs Glossary of Terms	Glossary and Key Word List
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	Childrens Health Protection Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in electrical transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes, and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. The sale and new use of PCBs were banned by law in 1979.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	America's Children and the Environment Terms	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in electrical transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes, and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. The sale and new use of PCBs were banned by law in 1979 although large reservoirs of PCBs remain in the environment.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	I-BEAM Glossary of Terms	Glossary and Key Word List
Polychlorinated biphenyls	PCBs	Chesapeake Bay Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A chemical contaminant that was once used as a flame retardant in electrical equipment. Though their production has been banned since 1977, PCBs persist in the environment, posing a risk to humans and wildlife.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	Region 5 Cleanup Sites Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A family of compounds commonly used in electric transformers as insulators and coolants, in lubricants, adhesives, and caulking compounds. From 1957 until 1971, they were also used in some processes for manufacturing recycled paper. PCBs are extremely persistent in the environment because they do not readily break down into less harmful chemicals.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	Ecological Risk Assessment Glossary of Terms	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A type of organic chemical with chlorine atoms that was extensively used in industry for a variety of purposes, but is now banned. Studies have shown that PCBs can cause cancer in rats and possibly in humans.
PCBs		How's My Waterway Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are a group of man-made organic chemicals with a range of toxicity. Although manufacturing of PCBs was banned in the U.S. in 1979, PCBs are long-lasting in fish tissue and in bottom-sediments of rivers and lakes. PCBs in fish that are eaten by humans and wildlife can build up and may have cancer-causing and other health effects. PCB contamination has caused many fishing bans and warnings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	Terms of Environment	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in electrical transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes, and in gas pipeline systems as lubricant. The sale and new use of these chemicals, also known as PCBs, were banned by law in 1979.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	Brownfields Profile Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: The regulations issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA, 15 USC 2601 et seq.), 40 CFR Section 461.3, define polychlorinated biphenyls or PCB and PCBs as "any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule that has been chlorinated to varying degrees or any combination of substances which contains such substance." Please note that the Brownfields Law excludes from funding eligibility portions of facilities where there has been a release of PCBs that are subject to remediation under TSCA.
Polychlorinated biphenyls	PCBs	School Siting Guidelines Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: Polychlorinated biphenyls belong to a broad family of human-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PCBs were domestically manufactured from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. They have a range of toxicity and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. Due to their nonflammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including electrical, heat transfer and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints, plastics and rubber products; in pigments, dyes and carbonless copy paper; and many other industrial applications.
polychlorinated biphenyls	PCBs	Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in transformers and capacitors. They often accumulate in sediments, fish, and wildlife and have been associated with health problems.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCB, PCBs	CADDIS Glossary	Glossary and Key Word List
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	Environmental Issues Terms & Acronyms	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: A group of toxic, persistent chemicals used in electrical transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes, and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. The sale and new use of PCBs were banned by law in 1979.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	RCRA Glossary of Terms	Glossary and Key Word List	Definition: Please see the ATSDR fact sheet for PCBs.
PCB-Containing		EPA EV-Chemical Substances	Taxonomy
Polychlorinated Biphenyl Dechlorination	PCB Dechlorination	EPA EV-Environmental Events-Clean-up & Remediation	Taxonomy
Polychlorinated Biphenyl Detection Technology	PCB Detection Technology	EPA EV-Environmental Technologies-Monitoring Technologies	Taxonomy
Polychlorinated Biphenyls Exposure	PCB Exposure	EPA EV-Environmental Events-Exposure	Taxonomy
PCB in PCB Items		EPA EV-Regulatory Activities-Regulatory Quantities	Taxonomy	Definition: Defined in § 761.3. For any purposes under this part, inadvertently generated non-Aroclor PCBs are defined as the total PCBs calculated following division of the quantity of monochlorinated biphenyls by 50 and dichlorinated biphenyls by 5. [40 CFR 761.3 (CFR 2013)]
PCB Waste Commercial Storer		EPA EV-Regulatory Activities-Regulatory Roles	Taxonomy	Definition: Owner or operator of each facility that is subject to the PCB storage unit standards of § 761.65(b)(1) or (c)(7) or meets the alternate storage criteria of § 761.65(b)(2), and who engages in storage activities involving either PCB waste generated by others or that was removed while servicing the equipment owned by others and brokered for disposal. The receipt of a fee or any other form of compensation for storage services is not necessary to qualify as a commercial storer of PCB waste. A generator who only stores its own waste is subject to the storage requirements of § 761.65, but is not required to obtain approval as a commercial storer. If a facility's storage of PCB waste generated by others at no time exceeds a total of 500 gallons of liquid and/or non-liquid material containing PCBs at regulated levels, the owner or operator is a commercial storer but is not required to seek EPA approval as a commercial storer of PCB waste. Storage of one company's PCB waste by a related company is not considered commercial storage. [40 CFR 761.3 (CFR 2013)]
PCB Waste Disposer		EPA EV-Regulatory Activities-Regulatory Roles	Taxonomy	Definition: As the term is used in subparts J and K of this part, means any person who owns or operates a facility approved by EPA for the disposal of PCB waste which is regulated for disposal under the requirements of subpart D of this part. [40 CFR 761.3 (CFR 2013)]
Polychlorinated Biphenyls	PCBs	EPA EV-Chemical Substances	Taxonomy	Definition 1: Any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule that has been chlorinated to varying degrees or any combination of substances which contains such substance. [PCB Glossary] Definition 2: A mixture of chlorinated derivatives of biphenyl, marketed under the trade name Aroclor with a number designating the chlorine content (such as Aroclor 1260). PCBs were used in transformers and capacitors for insulating purposes and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant. Further sale for new use was banned by law in 1979. [USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program Glossary] Definition 3: Industrial products consisting of a mixture of chlorinated biphenyl congeners and isomers. These compounds are highly lipophilic and tend to accumulate in fat stores of animals. Many of these compounds are considered toxic and potential environmental pollutants. [NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)] Definition 4: Any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule and that has been chlorinated to varying degrees. [40 CFR 704.43 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 704.45 (CFR 2013)] Definition 5: Mixture of compounds composed of the biphenyl molecule which has been chlorinated to varying degrees. [40 CFR 129.4 (CFR 2013)] Definition 6: Any chemical substance that is limited to the biphenyl molecule that has been chlorinated to varying degrees or any combination of substances which contains such substance. Refer to § 761.1(b) for applicable concentrations of PCBs. [40 CFR 761.3 (CFR 2013)] Definition 7: Halogenated organic compounds defined in accordance with 40 CFR 761.3. [40 CFR 268.2 (CFR 2013)] Definition 8: Polychlorinated biphenyls as defined under § 761.3. As specified under § 761.1(b), no requirements may be avoided through dilution of the PCB concentration. [40 CFR 761.123 (CFR 2013)] Definition 9: Any or all of the 209 possible chlorinated biphenyl isomers. [40 CFR 63.842 (CFR 2016)] Definition 10: Polychlorinated biphenyls belong to a broad family of human-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PCBs were domestically manufactured from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. They have a range of toxicity and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. Due to their nonflammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including electrical, heat transfer and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints, plastics and rubber products; in pigments, dyes and carbonless copy paper; and many other industrial applications. Acronym: PCBs [School Siting Guidelines Glossary] Definition 11: Group of man-made organic chemicals with a range of toxicity. Although manufacturing of PCBs was banned in the U.S. in 1979, PCBs are long-lasting in fish tissue and in bottom-sediments of rivers and lakes. PCBs in fish that are eaten by humans and wildlife can build up and may have cancer-causing and other health effects. PCB contamination has caused many fishing bans and warnings, [How's My Waterway Glossary]
TSCA PCB Coordinated Approval		EPA EV-Regulatory Activities-Enforcement and Compliance	Taxonomy	Definition: Process used to recognize other Federal or State waste management documents governing the storage, cleanup, treatment, and disposal of PCB wastes. It is the mechanism under TSCA for accomplishing review, coordination, and approval of PCB waste management activities which are conducted outside of the TSCA PCB approval process, but require approval under the TSCA PCB regulations at 40 CFR part 761 [40 CFR 761.3 (CFR 2018)]

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