What are pentachlorophenol, dioxins, furans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons?
Pentachlorophenol is a manufactured chemical not naturally found in the environment and is a registered biocide (or pesticide). Pentachlorophenol is used in industry as a wood preservative for power line poles, railroad ties, cross arms, and fence posts. It is no longer allowed for public use at home or for gardening. People are generally exposed to the technical-grade of pentachlorophenol versus the pure form of pentachlorophenol. The technical-grade pentachlorophenol contains impurities such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins are a family of 75 different compounds. These compounds have varying harmful effects. They are produced naturally as well as by human activities such as industrial, municipal and domestic incineration and combustion processes and the manufacture of chlorinated phenols and other chlorinated chemicals like pentachlorophenol. Polychlorinated dibenzofurans are a family of 135 individual compounds with varying ha
