biphenyl /bi·phen·yl/ (-fen´il) diphenyl.
biphenyl [bi-fen´il]
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) any of a group of chlorinated derivatives of biphenyl, used as heat-transfer agents and electrical insulators; they are toxic, carcinogenic, and non-biodegradable.
bi·phen·yl (b -f n  l, -f nl)n. A colorless crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon used in fungicides and in organic synthesis. Also called diphenyl. |
biphenyl [bi-fen´il]
polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) any of various brominated derivatives of biphenyl; uses and toxic hazards are similar to those of polychlorinated biphenyls. They typically are deposited in body fat stores and are rarely mobilized except through lactation.
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) any of various chlorinated derivatives of biphenyl, toxic and carcinogenic nonbiodegradable compounds used as heat-transfer agents and electrical insulators; they are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and those with a lower percentage of chlorine are associated with a higher toxicity but are more readily excreted.
biphenyl
polybrominated and polychlorinated biphenyls are widely used industrial chemicals, as flame retardants, heat transfer agents and electrical insulators.
biphenyl poisoning
these chemicals are not known to produce illness in the average environment, but they accumulate in fat and have a very slow rate of excretion and biodegradability. Experimental poisoning causes diarrhea, poor weight gain, growth retardation and abortion.
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