Arochlor

Arochlor was the commercial trade name, used by Monsanto, for a family of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — more commonly spelled Aroclor: synthetic chlorinated chemicals once widely used in electrical equipment, plasticizers, and sealants. Although PCB manufacture was banned in most countries by the late 1970s and the compounds are listed as persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention, they still contaminate the food chain. PCBs resist degradation, accumulate in fatty tissues, and concentrate in fatty fish, meat, and dairy products. Monitoring programmes continue to test foods for PCB residues because chronic exposure is linked to cancer risk, immune effects, and endocrine disruption, making these legacy contaminants a lasting food-safety concern.