Researchers at the University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (Iowa SRP) Center have found that switchgrass, a plant native to central North America, can effectively remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated soil. When PCB-degrading bacteria are added, removal of PCBs from the soil can increase further. This phytoremediation method may be an efficient and sustainable strategy for removing PCBs from hazardous waste sites.