2,3-Dichlorobiphenyl is one of 209 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are a group of synthetic organic compounds with 1-10 chlorine atoms attached to biphenyl. They were manufactured as commercial mixtures but were banned in the 1970s because they were found to bioaccumulate and cause harmful health effects. However, PCBs do not break down readily and are still in the environment. 2,3-Dichlorobiphenyl decreases the levels of dopamine in PC12 adrenal medulla cells (EC50 = 173 μM). 2,3-Dichlorobiphenyl (10 μg/L) increases the percentage of X. laevis intersex males. It is a contaminant in urban soil samples.
