Editing Polychlorinated biphenyl (section)

==Applications==
The utility of PCBs is based largely on their chemical stability, including low [[fire|flammability]] and high dielectric constant. In an electric arc, PCBs generate incombustible gases.

Use of PCBs is commonly divided into closed and open applications.<ref name="Ullmann" /> Examples of closed applications include [[coolant]]s and insulating fluids ([[transformer oil]]) for [[transformer]]s and [[capacitor]]s, such as those used in old fluorescent light ballasts,<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Godish T |year=2001 |title=Indoor environmental quality |url=https://archive.org/details/indoorenvironmen00godi_372 |url-access=limited |edition=1st |pages=[https://archive.org/details/indoorenvironmen00godi_372/page/n402 110]–30 |location=Boca Raton, FL |publisher=Lewis Publishers|isbn=9781566704021 }}</ref> and [[hydraulic fluid]]s considered a semi-closed application. In contrast, the major open application of PCBs was in [[carbonless copy paper|carbonless copy ("NCR") paper]], which even presently results in paper contamination.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Pivnenko K, Olsson ME, Götze R, Eriksson E, Astrup TF |display-authors=3| title = Quantification of chemical contaminants in the paper and board fractions of municipal solid waste | journal = Waste Management | volume = 51 | pages = 43–54 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 26969284 | doi = 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.03.008 | bibcode = 2016WaMan..51...43P | s2cid = 22484869 | url = https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/140534798/Author_s_version.pdf }}</ref>

Other open applications were lubricating and cutting oils, and as [[plasticizer]]s in paints and cements, stabilizing additives in flexible PVC coatings of electrical cables and electronic components, [[pesticide]] extenders, reactive [[flame retardant]]s and [[sealant]]s for [[caulk]]ing, [[adhesive]]s, wood floor finishes, such as ''Fabulon'' and other products of [[Halowax]] in the U.S.,<ref name="rudel2008">{{cite journal | vauthors = Rudel RA, Seryak LM, Brody JG | title = PCB-containing wood floor finish is a likely source of elevated PCBs in residents' blood, household air and dust: a case study of exposure | journal = Environmental Health | volume = 7 | pages = 2 | date = January 2008 | issue = 1 | pmid = 18201376 | pmc = 2267460 | doi = 10.1186/1476-069X-7-2 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2008EnvHe...7....2R }}</ref> de-dusting agents, waterproofing compounds, casting agents.<ref name="unep" /> It was also used as a plasticizer in paints and especially "coal tars" that were used widely to coat water tanks, bridges and other infrastructure pieces.

Modern sources include [[pigment]]s, which may be used in [[ink]]s for paper or plastic products.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Grossman E | title = Nonlegacy PCBs: pigment manufacturing by-products get a second look | journal = Environmental Health Perspectives | volume = 121 | issue = 3 | pages = A86–A93 | date = March 2013 | pmid = 23454657 | pmc = 3621189 | doi = 10.1289/ehp.121-a86 }}</ref> PCBs are also still found in old equipment like capacitors, ballasts, X-ray machine, and other e-waste.<ref name="E-scrap News">{{Cite news|date=April 15, 2021|title=In Our Opinion: Safe e-recycling of polychlorinated biphenyls|work=E-scrap News|url=https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2021/04/15/in-our-opinion-safe-e-recycling-of-polychlorinated-biphenyls/|access-date=April 22, 2021}}</ref>