What is a notable characteristic of PCBs?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic chemicals known for their high thermal stability and resistance to degradation, which is a notable characteristic. This high heat resistance allows PCBs to be used in various industrial applications, such as in electrical equipment, as coolants, and in other products where high temperatures are involved. This property contributes to their persistence in the environment and complicates efforts for remediation once they are released.

In contrast, PCBs are not known for high water solubility; they actually possess low water solubility, which contributes to their accumulation in sediments and organisms in the environment. Additionally, they have relatively high boiling points, making them suitable for use in high-temperature applications rather than having low boiling points. Lastly, the characteristic of hard soil is unrelated to the chemical nature of PCBs, as this refers more to soil physical properties rather than chemical composition or behavior.