What is PCB remediation waste, and how do you manage it?

PolyChlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are organic chlorine compounds that were once widely used all over the world as cooling and insulating fluids. The advantage of using PCBs were that they are non-flammable and can stabilize heat. Unfortunately, they are also incredibly toxic and have been linked to cancer by numerous health organizations.

Because of their popularity, they are still present in rivers and lakes, have been found in buildings such as schools and factories and in parks and other outdoor locations. Recent EPA findings have determined that many industrial coatings, caulkings, transformers, light fixture ballasts in ships and buildings that were built or renovated in the 1950s through 1980s have caulking, paint coatings and other materials that contains PCBs. Cleaning up these sites can be a complicated and dangerous procedure, requiring specialized training and experienced workers.

PCB Remediation Waste is the waste containing PCBs from a spill or some other unauthorized disposal of PCBs. It can include soil, gravel, concrete, buildings, and other man-made structures or substances, including things like the above-mentioned paint coating and caulking.

PCB abatement and decontamination must follow a very strict set of steps and regulations that have been determined by the governments of Canada and the United States. For example, all workers must wear proper equipment that will protect them from these hazardous materials (HAZMAT).

There are chemical destruction facilities that must be used to properly dispose of the HAZMAT materials. In the United States, there is a Toxic Substance Control Act that outlines all regulations to be followed. In Canada, the PCB Regulations outline exactly what any company that handles PCBs must do to properly store or destroy PCBs.

Enviro-Vac has extensive experience handling PCBs and offers an abatement and decontamination service that is second to none. If you’re worried about your facility or the paint coatings and caulking, talk to one of our helpful staff about how we can safely clean up your structure or facility.