PCB

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The group of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) comprises a total of 209 compounds. They were mainly used as plasticizers (jointing compounds), flame retardants (paints, varnishes) and insulating oils (transformer oils, capacitors, etc.). In the building industry, permanently elastic joint sealants, paints / varnishes on mineral material, wood or chipboard, coloured stone plasters, grouting and filling compounds and floor covering adhesives> were frequent areas of application. The open application (sealants, paints) was prohibited in 1978. A general ban in Germany (also in transformers, capacitors, etc.) followed in 1989. PCBs are persistent, i.e. they accumulate in the environment and in organisms. They are also toxic and are suspected of being carcinogenic.