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Region 10: The Pacific Northwest |  |
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Serving the people of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 270 Native Tribes
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Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Homepage OVERVIEW OF THE PCB PROGRAM The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which became law in 1976, prohibits the manufacture of polychlorinated biphenyls (commonly known as PCBs), controls the phase-out of their existing uses, and sees to their safe disposal. PCBs are the only chemical class specifically named in TSCA because Congress believed that the chemical and toxicological properties of PCBs posed a significant risk to public health and the environment. The Act and Implementing Regulations  Implementing regulations, are found in 40 CFR Part 761: Some key provisions of the regulations and EPA policies include: assumption of PCBs if not labeled, location and content of PCB labels, visual inspection and recordkeeping for PCBs in use or stored for reuse, other recordkeeping requirements, disposal (current list of commercially permitting PCB disposal companies), restrictions on use and burning of used oil containing PCBs, storage for disposal, spill prevention, PCB spill cleanup policy, food and feed restrictions, PCB transformer fire regulations, substitute dielectric fluid, storage container specifications, notification and manifesting rule, EPA policy on physical separation of PCBs, reclassification of transformers, PCB fluorescent light ballast disposal, and PCBs in laboratories. The PCB Disposal Amendments allow for the import of PCB waste for disposal, as long as certain conditions are met. Characteristics and Uses of PCBs: PCBs belong to a family of organic compounds known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. Key characteristics include: high boiling point, high degree of chemical stability, low flammability, and low electric conductivity. Between 1929 and 1977, most PCBs were sold for use as dielectric fluids (insulating liquids) in electric transformers and capacitors. Other uses included heat transfer fluid, hydraulic fluid, dye carriers in carbonless copy paper, plasticizers in paints, adhesives, and caulking compounds, and filters in investment casting wax. Although PCBs are no longer commercially made in the United States, many electric transformers and capacitors once filled with PCBs are still in service. Additionally, PCBs currently are being inadvertently produced as byproducts during the manufacture of certain organic chemicals. PCB Manufacturers and Trade Names lists some of the manufacturers, who made PCBs and the trade names of their products. Return to top of page Why Are PCBs Harmful to Human Health and the Environment When released into the environment, PCBs do not easily break apart and form new chemical arrangements (i.e., they are not readily biodegradable). Instead they persist for many years, bioaccumulate, and bioconcentrate in organisms. Well documented tests on laboratory animals show that various levels of PCBs cause reproductive effects, gastric disorders, skin lesions, and cancerous tumors. Exposure to PCBs in humans can cause chloracne (a painful, disfiguring skin ailment), liver damage, nausea, dizziness, eye irritation, and bronchitis. PCBs may enter the body through the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract, and the skin. After absorption, PCBs are circulated in the blood throughout the body and are stored in fatty tissues and a variety of organs, including liver, kidneys, lungs, adrenal glands, brain, heart, and skin. PCBs pervade the environment. Measurable amounts of PCBs have been found in soils, water, fish, milk and human tissue. Return to top of page Enforcement Actions The Seattle Office of EPA conducts inspections, usually at utilities, scrap and salvage dealers, pulp and paper industry, wood product mills, commercial buildings, large universities, and federal facilities. TSCA authorizes civil penalties of up to $27,500 per day per violation and criminal penalties. Where appropriate, EPA may allow early disposal of PCB equipment to mitigate a portion of the penalty. What's New in PCBs: Return to top of page PCB Risk and Health Information
Return to top of page PCB Regulations and Guidance
PCB Storage and Disposal Facilities Return to top of page Compliance Assistance Return to top of page Information About Enforcement Return to top of page Other Interesting and Useful Information
Return to top of page Contacts:
PCBs in the News Return to top of page Unit: Solid Waste & Toxics Unit Dan Duncan E-Mail: duncan.daniel@epamail.epa.gov (206) 553-6693 Phone Number: (206) 553-6693 Last Updated (mm/dd/yy): 10/23/2003 PCBs http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/OWCM.NSF/pcb/pcb |
