Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) levels in Lake Ontario salmonids.

Abstract

Hexachlorobenzene, C6CI 6, has been used as an agr icul tural fungicide unt i l the early 1970's. HCB is also used as a peptizing agent for rubber products, a wood preservative, and a p last ic izer for polyvinyl chloride (QUINLIVAN et al. 1975, PLIMMER & KLINGEBIEL 1976). HCB is also formed as a by-product during the manufacture of industr ia l chemicals, especially those products containing chlorine and chlorinated hydrocarbons, and the incineration of domestic and industr ia l waste (EPA 1973).