The Identification and Cloning of Genes Encoding Haloaromatic Catabolic Enzymes and the Construction of Hybrid Pathways for Substrate Mineralization

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Abstract
Halogenated organic compounds constitute one of the largest groups of environmental pollutants and have achieved notoriety as a result of their widespread use despite concerns regarding their toxicity, bioconcentration, and persistence in the biosphere. Government legislation resulting in termination of production of some halogenated aromatics, for example, 2,2-bis (4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT) and the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has not alleviated problems related to these banned chemicals. According to data presented by Hutzinger and Veerkamp (49), further contamination of the environment may be threatened by PCBs occupying landfills where 22% of total production in the U.S.A. for domestic use since 1929 has been deposited. These authors also suggested that up to 63% of total production is likely still to be present in the environment.