Editing Polychlorinated biphenyl (section)

===Physical properties===
The compounds are pale-yellow [[viscosity|viscous]] [[liquid]]s. They are hydrophobic, with low [[water (molecule)|water]] [[solubility|solubilities]]: 0.0027–0.42&nbsp;[[nanogram|ng]]/L for Aroclors [[brand]],<ref name="unep"/>{{page needed|date=October 2015}} but they have high solubilities in most organic [[solvent]]s, oils, and [[fat]]s. They have low [[vapor pressure]]s at room temperature. They have [[dielectric constant]]s of 2.5–2.7,<ref>{{cite web|title=PCB Transformers and Capacitors from management to Reclassification to Disposal |url=http://www.chem.unep.ch/pops/pdf/PCBtranscap.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030621170714/http://www.chem.unep.ch/pops/pdf/PCBtranscap.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-06-21 |website=chem.unep.ch |publisher=United Nations Environmental Program |access-date=2014-12-30 |pages=55, 63}}</ref> very high [[thermal conductivity]],<ref name="unep" />{{page needed|date=October 2015}} and high [[flash point]]s (from 170 to 380&nbsp;°C).<ref name="unep" />{{page needed|date=October 2015}}

The density varies from 1.182 to 1.566&nbsp;g/cm<sup>3</sup>.<ref name="unep"/>{{page needed|date=October 2015}} Other physical and chemical properties vary widely across the class. As the degree of chlorination increases, melting point and [[lipophilicity]] increase, and vapour pressure and water solubility decrease.<ref name="unep"/>{{page needed|date=October 2015}}

PCBs do not easily break down or degrade, which made them attractive for industries. PCB mixtures are resistant to acids, bases, oxidation, hydrolysis, and temperature change.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mOvJCEEzlAgC |title=Halogenated Biphenyls, Terphenyls, Naphthalenes, Dibenzodioxins and Related Products | veditors = Kimbrough RD, Jensen AA |date=2012 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=9780444598929|page=24}}</ref> They can generate extremely toxic [[Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins|dibenzodioxins]] and [[dibenzofuran]]s through partial oxidation. Intentional degradation as a treatment of unwanted PCBs generally requires high heat or [[catalysis]] (see [[#Methods of destruction|Methods of destruction]] below).

PCBs readily penetrate [[absorption (skin)|skin]], [[Polyvinyl chloride|PVC]] (polyvinyl chloride), and [[latex]] (natural rubber).<ref name="anzecc">{{cite book |title=Identifying PCB-Containing Capacitors |publisher=Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council |pages=4–5 |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-642-54507-7 |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/publications/chemicals/scheduled-waste/pubs/pcbid.pdf |access-date=2007-07-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003010739/http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/publications/chemicals/scheduled-waste/pubs/pcbid.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-03}}</ref> PCB-resistant materials include [[Viton]], [[polyethylene]], [[polyvinyl acetate]] (PVA), [[polytetrafluoroethylene]] (PTFE), [[butyl rubber]], [[nitrile rubber]], and [[Neoprene]].<ref name="anzecc"/>