Abstract: Hansenulla californica yeast strain VKPM Y-2284 is capable of degrading polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The strain may be employed to detoxicate environment media and PCB-containing industrial wastes. To produce biomass, the strain is incubated on media which contain carbon sources, nitrogen sources and mineral salts. The strain is cultivated by a subsurface method up to a titer from 5.0·106 to 1.0×107 cells per cu cm. The produced biomass is employed for degrading PCBs in concentrations from 106 to 105 cells per cu cm. The strain ensures from 30 to 50% reduction in PCB content in soil and water.