The status of PCB radiation chemistry research; prospects for waste treatment in nonpolar solvents and soils

This paper presents a review of PCB radiolysis in oil, polar and nonpolar s olvents and soil. The origins of PCB radiolysis research in alkaline isopro panol are discussed, and contrasted with radiolysis in neutral isopropanol and nonpolar solutions. Micellar solution chemistry is presented. Additiona lly, new applications of soil PCB radiolysis will be discussed and the effe ct of soil on the chemistry shown. The applicability of the extraction of P CBs from soil followed by the floatation of the solvent and subsequent radi olysis of the PCB in the floatant are reported, along with radiolysis of PC B in soil matrices. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.