Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been produced commercially since be fore 1930. They proved to be highly versatile mixtures and their uses continued to expand during the early 1970's even after the unanticipated world-wide en vironmental contamination had been discovered (Jensen et aI. , 1969; Koeman et aI. , 1969). Over 600,000 metric-tons were produced and/or used in the U. S. during this time and it is estimated that worldwide production totaled about 1,200,000 metric-tons (Table 1). With low acute toxicities (Fishbein, 1974), these mixtures were considered gen erally biologically inactive even though industrial exposure had demonstrated he patic and dermatological effects (Fishbein, 1974; Hansen, 1987). Thus, use and disposal were not carefully monitored and it is estimated that one-third of the world-wide production of PCBs has been released into the global environment (Table 1). Table 1. Estimated production and disposition of PCBs b U. s. a Worldwide 6 6 Production/use 610 X 10 kg 1200 X 10 kg Mobil environmental reservoir 82 400 Static reservoirs In service 340 Dumps 130 Total static 470 800 a NAS, 1979 b Tatsukawa and Tanaba, 1984 2 Environmental Distribution Many countries now impose strict controls on the use and release of PCBs. Re lease into the environment has declined dramatically in the last decade, but con tinued release from reservoirs (Table 1) into burdened ecosystems (Table 2) ap pears inevitable for several more decades (Barros et aI. , 1984).

The concern about environmental toxins is ever increasing, as is the need for sound scientific information. The "Environmental Toxin Series" is dedicated to the publication of comprehensive reviews and monographs on compounds or classes of chemicals which are of importance in environmental toxicology. The series is designed to serve as a background of information for scientific investigation as well as risk analysis and political decision making. The main aim of the series is to describe in as complete a way as possible all potentially hazardous chemicals from the point of view of chemistry, ecology, toxicology, risk analysis and regulatory implications. From time to time conference proceedings on important and urgent topics will be included in the series. We thank the members of the editorial board for their enthusiastic support.

The concern about environmental toxins is ever increasing, as is the need for sound scientific information. The "Environmental Toxin Series" is dedicated to the publication of comprehensive reviews and monographs on compounds or classes of chemicals which are of importance in environmental toxicology. The series is designed to serve as a background of information for scientific investigation as well as risk analysis and political decision making. The main aim of the series is to describe in as complete a way as possible all potentially hazardous chemicals from the point of view of chemistry, ecology, toxicology, risk analysis and regulatory implications. From time to time conference proceedings on important and urgent topics will be included in the series. We thank the members of the editorial board for their enthusiastic support.

This updated and expanded Second Edition of Dr. Erickson's Analytical Chemistry of PCBs appears a decade after the first and is completely revised and updated. The changes from the First Edition reflect the significant growth in the area and a growing appreciation of the importance of PCB analysis to our culture. This book is a comprehensive review of the analytical chemistry of PCBs. It is part history, part annotated bibliography, part comparison, and part guidance. Featuring a new chapter on analyst/customer interactions and several new appendices, the Second Edition is an invaluable resource for both chemists with no experience in PCB analysis and seasoned PCB researchers. All topics have been more thoroughly treated and updated in this new edition to reflect advances made in the last decade, especially: