Which of the following statements about PCBs is false?

• A. PCBs are chemically stable and heat resistant
• B. PCBs are toxic and persistent
• C. PCBs readily dissolve in water
• D. PCBs bioaccumulate in organisms

Answer: (C)

PCBs are long-lasting, fat-loving chemicals that resist degradation and readily accumulate in biological systems. The statement that PCBs readily dissolve in water is false because PCBs have very low water solubility, especially the more chlorinated forms, so they prefer to partition into organic matter, sediments, and fatty tissues rather than staying dissolved in water. This hydrophobic nature underlies their persistence in the environment and their tendency to bioaccumulate in organisms and magnify up the food chain. In contrast, the other descriptions are true: PCBs are chemically stable and heat resistant, they are toxic and persistent, and they do bioaccumulate in organisms due to their lipophilicity.