An industrial chemical that was widely used before the 1970s and is one of the most persistent water pollutants across the world. Nowadays, it is mostly produced as a by-product during the manufacture of chemicals used as solvents, other chlorine-containing compounds, pesticides, fireworks, rubber and ammunition. It can also be produced when burning wastes. It can contaminate drinking water as a discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories. It has been shown that if ingested in large amounts it can increase death rate for fetuses and young infants, cause liver kidney and thyroid diseases, cause issues in the bones, blood, and immune, endocrine and nervous systems. It has also been appointed a potential carcinogen.