?/EPA
What are PCBa?
How are PC Bis
Used?
UnitM StitM
Environmental Protection
Aqtncv
Offic* of Tox>c Suonancn
TSCA Amranct OHie» 113.7991
Wwninqton, OC 2046Q
-uiv '983
Toxics Information
Series
Polychlorinated Blphenyls
Polychlorinated biphenyls, also referred to as PCBs, belong to a
family of organic compounds kncwn as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PC3s
were produced in the United States- between 1929 and 1977, when the
primary U.S. manufacturer voluntarily stopped making them because of
mounting public concern over their harmful envirormental effects.
Most PCBs were sold for use as dielectric fluids (insulating
liquids) in electrical transformers and capacitors. Although PCBs
are no longer being mad* in this country for this use, many
electrical transformers and capacitors once filled with PCBs are
still in service. Today, a Federal law prohibits the manufacture of
PCBs, controls th* phase-out of their existing uses, and sees to
their safe disposal. This information bulletin discusses the facts
and the measures being taken by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to safeguard public health and the environment from the
hazardous effects of PCBs.
PCBs are part of the extensive family of organic chemicals
known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. Virtually all PCBs in existence
today have been synthetically manufactured. PCBs have a heavy oil-
like consistency, high boiling points, a high degree of chemical
stability, lew f lamrabi I i ty, lew electrical conductivity, and weigh
about 10-12 pounds per gallon.
As stated before, PCBs were primarily used in transformers and
capacitors as dielectric fluid. Much, of the PCBs previously
marketed in the United States are still in service in these applica-
tions. PCBs manufactured as dielectric fluids were sold under
several trade names, including: Aroclor, Askarel, Pyroclor,
Sanotherm, and Pyranol. Askarel is also a generic name used for
non-fI amiable dielectric fluids containing PCBs.
PCBs have also been used in a variety of other applications
such as: heat transfer and hydraulic fluids; dye carriers in
carbonless copy paper; plastictzers in paints, adhesives, and caulk-
ing compounds; and fillers in investment casting wax.
PCBs are currently being inadvertently produced as byproducts
during the manufacture of certain organic chemicals. PCBs mav be
formed when chlorine, carbon, elevated temperatures or catalysts are
present together in a process stream.
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Why are RGB's
Harmful to Our
Hearth and
Environment?
What ia EPA
Doing About
RGBs?
PCBs are harmful because once they are released into tie
envi ronment, they tend not to break apart into other substances.
Instead, PCBs persist and take several decades to slowly
decorpose. By r grain ing in the environment, they can be taken JD
and stored in the fattv tissues of all organisms fron which they are
slowly released into the blood strean. Therefore, due to storage .n
fat, the concentration of PCBs in the body tissues can increase with
time even though PCS exposure levels rmy be very lew. This process
is called bioaccumulat ion. Further, as PCBs accumulate in the
tissues of simple organisms, and as they are consumed by
progressively higher organisms, the concentration increases. This
process is called biormgni f icat ion. Through bioaccumulat ion and
biomegnificat ion, the cumulative quantity of PCBs consumed by man,
who is at the end of the food chain, can be quite significant.
These two factors, 5ioaccumulat ion in organisms and biomagnifi-
cation in the food chain, are especially significant because ?C3s
are harmful to health at low levels. Specifically, PCBs have been
shown to cause chronic (long-term) toxic effects in some species or
animals and aquatic species. Wei I-documented tests on laboratory
animals shew that various levels of PCBs can cause reproductive
effects, gastric disorders, skin lesions, and cancerous timors.
PCBs may, even at lew concentrations in water, reduce the supply of
comrarcial fish, either through direct adverse effects on their
development and juvenile growth or through reduction in populations
of aquatic animals and plants which are the food sources for the
fish.
PCBs rmy 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 the liver, kidneys, lungs, adrenal
glands, brain, heart, and skin.
PCBs pervade the environment. Measurable anounts of PCBs nave
been found in soils, water, fish, milk, and human tissue. PCBs have
been found in fish from the Hhjdson River and the Great Lakes, m
fish meal used as feed (as a result of a leaking heat exchanger),
and in animal feed (as a result of a leaking transformer).
In October 1976, Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA) and, in section 6(e) of that law, specifically directed
EPA to regulate PCBs. It should be noted that this was the only
chemical substance specifically named in TSCA, because Congress
believed that the chemical and toxicological properties or ?C3s
posed a significant risk to public health and the environment.
Section 6(e) of TSCA requires the proper disposal of PC3s, and
prohibits their manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce,
and use. EPA has issued regulations implementing t^ese
provisions. The following is a summary to date of these actions.
On May 31, 1979, EPA issued regulations effective July 1, : 9~9.
to implement the Congressional ban on the manufacture, process ng,
distribution in ccrrmerce and use of PCBs, and to control tie
disposal of PCBs. EPA was sued by the Environmental Defense rjnd
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(EOF) over certain provisions of these rules, -.which were
subsequently reminded to EPA for additional rulermking by the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Specifically, EPA needed to issue additional rularaking dealing with
the use of PC3s in electrical equipment, and rulemaking on the manu-
facture, processing, distribution in ccrrmerce and use of low concen-
trations of PCBs (PCBs in concentrations belcw 50 parts per million
(ppm) ) .
On August 25, 1982, a final rule amendment covering the use of
PCBs in electrical equipment was issued. The major provisions of
the rule allow the continued use of electrical equipment containing
PCBs according to certain use and servicing restrictions. The use
of transformers and electromagnets containing at least SOO ppm PCBs
requires inspection and maintenance for leaks of dielectric fluid.
However, these uses are prohibited after October 1, 1985 wherever
the equipment also poses an exposure risk to food or feed. The use
of capacitors containing three or more pounds of PCS dielectric
fluid is prohibited after October 1, 1988, except when located in
restricted access electrical substations or restricted access indoor
installations, where they may be kept in service for the remainder
of their useful lives.
Although RGBs are no longer being rmnufactured for use as a
dielectric fluid, certain chemical manufacturing processes result in
the inadvertent production of PCBs as impurities or byproducts.
Another final rule amendment to the May 1979 regulations, released
on October 21, 1982, covers those situations where PCBs are produced
inadvertently but either are not released (closed processes), or are
released only to wastes which are then properly disposed of
(controlled waste processes). The rule sets up a voluntary
exclusion for certain types of extremely low exposure manufacturing
processes* The major provision of this rule provides an exclusion
fran further regulation to those processes that do not release PCBs
into the air, water, or products in concentrations above levels that
can be practically measured, as stated in the rule. Manufacturers
who qualify, and desire exclusion, must keep records and notify £PA
of their excluded processes.
One provision of the comprehensive 1979. PC3 rule was an
authorization permitting the use of PCBs in railroad transformers
until January 1, 1982. On January 3, 1983, the •May 1979 rule was
amended by EPA to extend the use authorization with certain restric-
tions. The performance deadlines ware changed to allow affected
railroad organizations to service their transformers consistent with
comruter transit needs. These extensions were particularly impor-
tant because it had not been determined until October 1981 that an
adequate PCS substitute for railroad transformers had been suff
ciently tested. The amended schedule runs from July 1, 1983 thr
July 1, 1986.
In addition, under the January 3, 1983 amendment
transformers containing PCBs in concentrations equal to c
1,000 ppm may continue to be used for their remaining us'
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Where Can
More Information
on PCBs Be
Obtained?
To get additional copies of this PCB Fact Sheet or cooies i'
the FEDERAL REGISTER notices highlighted in this publication C3.'..
toll-free, 800-424-9063 ( in Washington, O.C., dial 554-1404'..
The information is provided by the TSCA Industry Assistance
Office which is mandated by section 26 of TSCA to provide
nonfinancial technicaI-compliance assistance to industry and otners
on TSCA's implementation actions.
To date, over 40 FEDERAL REGISTER notices, dealing
with the control of PCBs under TSCA, have been
published by EPA. However, the most important of
these notices are listed here, and will be sent co
you by calling the toll-free number mentioned above.
o May 31. 1979
PCB Manufacturing, Processing, '
Distribution in Corrmerce, and
Use Prohibitions Final Rule
(includes Disposal Require-
mints) .
o May 1, 1980 Expiration of the Open Border
Policy for PCS Disposal.
o August 25, 1982 .... PCS Use in Electrical
Equipment Rule.
o October 21, 1982 ... PCS Use in Closed and
Controlled Waste Manufacturing
Processes.
o January 3, 1983
PCB Amendment to Use Author!
zation for PCS Railroad
Transformers.
Also, helpful in understanding the PCB regulatory
actions and their requirements is a 'PCS Question
and Answer* Booklet. Call the above toll-free
number to have a copy sent to you.
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