In which decade were PCBs first synthesized?

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were first synthesized in the late 1920s. Specifically, they were created by the chemical company Monsanto between 1929 and 1930. The purpose of synthesizing PCBs was primarily for use as coolants and insulating fluids in electrical equipment due to their chemical stability and resistance to degradation.

The 1920s marked a significant period in industrial chemistry where various synthetic organic compounds were being developed for commercial applications. This early synthesis laid the groundwork for the extensive use of PCBs in numerous industrial applications over the following decades, before their environmental and health impacts became a concern leading to regulatory actions in subsequent years. Understanding the timeline of PCB synthesis is crucial for environmental health professionals as it connects to issues of contamination, regulatory history, and public health impacts associated with these compounds.