NEW ENGLAND
PCS WASTE
MANAGEMENT STUDY
SOLID WASTE PROGRAM
AIR AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DIVISION
REGION I
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NOVEMBER 1976
-------
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to express our appreciation to the following groups for their
assistance in helping to assess the PCB waste management problem in
New England. First, the state solid waste management agencies in New England,
for their efforts in the collection of PCB field samples; second, ETA's •
Region I Surveillance and Analysis Division for a.) their cooperation in
the collection, packaging and shipment of PCB samples, b.) their PCB analysis
of evacuated reject capacitors and c.) the testing of the Stamford Municipal
incinerator; finally special recognition must be given to the chemistry
laboratory of the US EPA National Enforcement Investigation Center in
Denver, Colorado for their timely response to our request for analytical
assistance.
Daniel K. Moon
Ira W. Leighton
Dennis A. Huebner
ii
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. INTRODUCTION 1
A. History of PCB Use 1
B. Objective of Study 3
C. Scope of Study 3
II. BACKGROUND 7
A. Problem Definition 7
B. Transformer Manufacturing 9
C. Capacitor Manufacturing 11
III. STUDY RESULTS 15
A. Results of Capacitor and Transformer Manufacturing
Plant Survey 15
1. Quantities and Characteristics of Industrial
Wastes 15
2. PCB Waste Processing and Disposal Practices 17
B. Results of Field Investigations and Sampling Efforts 26
1. PCB Land Disposal Sampling Program 26
2. PCB Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators. . . 36
3. Evacuation of Off Specification Capacitors 39
IV. REGULATIONS 42
V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 48
REFERENCES 52
APPENDIX A PCB Treatment and Disposal Facility • 53
APPENDIX B Report on Groundwater Monitoring of the New Bedford
Municipal Landfill 55
iii
-------
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. History of PCS Use
The term polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) refers to a family of stable
organic chemicals which have been produced and marketed"in this country
since 1929. These chemicals are extremely advantageous for use as
dielectric and heat transfer fluids because of certain properties they
exhibit including: low solubility in water, low vapor pressure, low
flammability, high heat capacity, low electrical conductivity, favorable
dielectric constant, and suitable viscosity-temperature relationships.
Because of these properties, and also because PCBs exhibit little acute
toxicity (toxic effects from high level, short term exposure), this
family of materials has been extensively used in many industrial
applications, primarily in "closed" or "semi-closed" systems such as
electrical transformers and capacitors, heat transfer systems, and
hydraulic systems. Most of the PCBs marketed to U.S. industry are still
in service, primarily in electrical equipment. The remainder have
entered the general environment; a significant fraction of this amount
is present in air, water, soil, and sediment, but most of the PCBs in the
environment are believed to be in landfills and dumps across the country.
In the late 1960's it became apparent that, although PCBs exhibit little
acute toxicity, they are accumulated in the tissues of many biological
species and do exhibit chronic (long-term) toxicity to many species even
when the exposure is to very low concentrations. The effects of chronic PCB
exposure vary in different animal species; they include skin, liver and
kidney lesions in rabbits an well as chloracne and hepatotoxic effects in man.
-------
The recognition of this problem resulted in a major program designed to
lessen the environmental stress arising from widespread use and
dissemination of PCBs; by mid-1971, the Monsanto Industrial Chemicals
Company, the sole U.S. producer, had voluntarily terminated sales
of PCBs (PCBs and polychlorinated triphenyls, or PCTs) for all but
closed electrical systems uses. Monsanto also, in the same time frame,
offered incineration services for waste liquid PCBs and terminated
production of the most highly chlorinated PCBs.
After approximately five years of the voluntary industrial restrictions,
a National Conference on PCBs was held in Chicago during November 1975,
under the joint sponsorship of EPA and other Government Agencies. By that
time it had become apparent that improved analytical techniques plus more
extensive monitoring efforts had revealed that PCB contamination at
environmentally significant levels was more widespread than originally
thought.
Results presented at the Chicago meeting indicated PCB levels in the
environment, on an overall basis, have been more or less constant since
1971, although there were local instances of both increases and decreases
in PCB levels. It thus appears that, unlike DDT, elimination of PCBs
from dissipative uses has not resulted in a significant reduction in
environmental load.
Consequently, in December 1975, a comprehensive plan was initiated within
EPA to reduce as rapidly and effectively as possible the serious threat
of PCBs to human health and the environment.
-------
As part of this plan, the Regional Offices of the EPA were directed
by the Administrator to undertake surveys of the major PCB users
in the United States. The primary purpose of these surveys was
to determine the precise manner in which PCBs enter the land, air
and water from each facility and also to determine what measures
could be taken to eliminate or minimize such PCB contamination.
B. Objective of the Study
The objective of this study is to evaluate FCB waste management practices
utilized in New England. As part of this evaluation an attempt has been
made to quantify and qualify losses of PCBs to the environment resulting
from the processing and disposal of PCB contaminated solid and liquid
wastes.
C. Scope of the Study
The primary emphasis of this study focuses on the past and present PCB
waste streams generated directly or indirectly by the transformer and
capacitor manufacturing plants located in New England. "While other
minor PCB users in New England were identified, resource limitations
necessitated that investigations of the facilities not 4>e included
in this report.
Prior to 1970 PCBs were used in various consumer products (paints, plastics,
sealants, lubricant additives) and in various industrial applications
(hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids) in addition to> electrical equipment.
When discontinued or discarded, these PCB uses have been and continue to
-------
be a source of PCBS entering the environment. Conseouently. the study was
expanded to include a lifted litigation of those disposa! methods
(municipal incinerators, and municipal and private disposal sites)
utilized to handle commercial and domestic wastes.
T** Solid Waste Program directed its efforts to the foUo^ng specific
activities:
1. As part of a work tea* made up of various EPA program personnel, an
investigation vas made of the foUowlng capacitor and transformer
manufacturing plants located In New England.
^ocatipn. PCS Produt^
Aerovox Industries, Inc. New Bedford> ^
Capacitors
General Electric Company Pittsfield>
Iransforners
, Inc.
. VT Capacitors
Sprague Electric Company North Mams_ ^
Capacitors
Capacitors
For this report the priory purpose of these plant investigations
was to determine the quantities and characteristics of the solid
and liquid wastes generated and the waste processing and disposal
methods utilized.
A limited investigation was also undertaken of sludge disposal
practices at those sewage treatment plants known to be treating
PCB contaminated effluents from the identified capacitor and
-------
transformer manufacturing plants in New England. Sludge
samples were collected and analyzed for PCB concentrations.
2. A field investigation ;md sampling effort was undertaken in
Llic- following throe- ari-as:
A. An investigation was made of the potential for PCB contamination
of surface and subsurface water caused by drainage from land
disposal sites. The types of sites studied were divided
into three categories:
i. Those disposal sites identified as having received
substantial quantities of FCB liquid and/or solid
wastes from the capacitor and transformer manufacturing
plants.
ii. Those sates receiving substantial volumes of industrial
wastes but not specifically FCB wastes from the
capacitor and transformer manufacturing plants.
iii. Disposal sites receiving primarily residential and
commercial wastes.
B. The concern over the potential environmental contamination from
PCBs contained in discarded consumer products also initiated
an investigation of air emissions from a municipal refuse
incinerator. The Stamford, Connecticut municipal incinerator
was selected for this emissions study.
-------
C. Because of the current problems involved with disposal
of reject capacitors, Aerovox, Inc., of New Bedford,
Massachusetts experimented with a procedure to evacuate
the PCBs from their reject capacitors. Working with
Aerovox, an attempt vas made to evaluate the effectiveness
of this evacuation procedure.
-------
CHAPTER II
BACKGROUND
A. Problem Definition
PCBs are a class of organic compounds manufactured by the chlorination
of biphenyl with anhydrous chlorine using iron filings or ferric
chloride as a catalyst. The biphenyl molecule has a total of ten
carbon-hydrogen bonds at which chlorine substitution can be
accommodated. In the manufacture of PCBs, anywhere from one to
ten chlorine atoms may be located on the biphenyl molecule.
The PCBs manufactured by Monsanto are marketed under the trade name
Aroclor followed by a four digit number, with "biphenyl" represented
by the first two digits "12", and the approximate chlorine percentage
represented by the second two. Thus, Aroclor 1242 is a mixture
containing approximately 42 percent chlorine. The principal Aroclors
which have been marketed over the past decade by Monsanto are 1221,
1232, 1242, 1248, 1254 and 1260, although at this time there is
no active marketing of 1232, 1248 or 1260. In addition, Aroclor
1016 (an exception to the previously identified nomenclature system)
is being marketed, and bears approximately 41.3 percent chlorine.
The unique physical and chemical properties of PCBs include low
vapor pressure at ambient temperatures, resistance to combustion,
remarkable chemical stability, high dielectric constant and high
specific electrical resistivity and low water solubility.*
* For an extensive discussion of the chemical and physical
properties of PCBs, see 0. Hutzinger, S. Safe, and V. Zitho.
"The Chemistry of PCBs." CRC Press 1974.
-------
8
At the same time, PCBs are lipid soluble and hence the potential
for absorption into fatty tissue and into the liver is high.
Thus once ingested PCBs are retained by most organisms
rather than excreted. The qualities of persistence which make
PCBs useful for many industrial purposes greatly aggravate their
potential for harm in the ecosystem. Although the principal
uses of PCBs today are in "closed" electrical systems (transformers
and capacitors), PCBs have been used over the years for a variety
of more "open" uses resulting in greater direct contamination
of the environment.
These other uses include an additive in investment casting waxes,
lubricant additive, hydraulic and compressor fluid, carbonless
copy paper, plasticizers, paints, heat exchange fluids, certain types
of paper and sealants. Most of these uses have been substantially
curtailed but the PCBs which have entered the environment as a result
of these uses, and which continue to be placed in the environment,
will be there for many years.
It is estimated that over the past 45 years approximately 1.4 billion
pounds of PCBs have been produced in the United States, of which
1.25 billion have been used in this country and the balance exported.
Of this 1.25 billion pounds, approximately 960 million pounds have been
used in electrical equipment. In addition, it is estimated that only
approximately 50 million pounds have degraded, that 750 million
pounds are presently in service, and that 290 million pounds are in
land disposal sites and 150 million oounds are believed to be "free" in
the environment(in air, water, soil and sediment). The magnitude
-------
of these values indicates that there is a strong future threat
from PCBs in land disposal sites.
B. Transformer Manufacturing
There are thirteen companies in the US which manufacture PCB
transformers at eighteen plants. One of these plants, a General
Electric Plant, is located in New England in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
There are two broad classifications of transformers: distribution
transformers, which are used to step down voltages, and power
transformers, which are used primarily to step up voltages. In
general a transformer consists of a core and coil immersed in a
dielectric fluid (a nonconducting fluid). The primary dielectric
fluid used in transformers is mineral oil with only 5 to 10
percent of the transformers produced containing PCB transformer
oil (blends of 60 to 70 percent Aroclor 1254 or 1242 and 40 to 30
percent trichlorobenzene).
The amount of PCB oil used in individual transformers ranges from
30 to 1,500 gallons (516 to 19,350 pounds) with an average of
about 232 gallons (3,000 pounds). General Electric estimates
that the total PCB-insulated units that have been put into
service in the United States since 1932 is 135,000, and virtually
all of these units are still in service. The lifetime-before-
failure is often longer than 30 years, and almost all units that do
fail are rebuilt and returned to service. The current production
rate of PCB transformers is about 5,000 units per year.
-------
10
Most plants manufacture all the hardware and components necessary
for the transformer assembly. The transformer interiors and the
containers are brought to the PCB filling stations where transformers
are assembled, filled and sealed.
The filling operation is done in a designated station. At plants
where large quantities of F C B are handled, the filling operation
is conducted on gratings located on sumps. The sumps are inspected and
cleaned periodically. All scrap PCB from the sumps is pumped into drums
and sent to incineration facilities.
Various transformer assembling and filling procedures are being
practiced throughout this industry. In general, all transformer
assembling and filling operations consist of a predrying step
for removing moisture from the transformer interiors, several
stages of PCB filling, PCB topping, addition of electrical connections
and bushings, electrical testing and sealing.
Liquid PCB Handling - The General Electric Plant in Pittsfield,
Massachusetts purchases PCBs and trichlorobenzene and does
their own compounding. The PCBs, which are shipped via rail car,
are pumped into a storage tank and mixed with the trichlorobenzene.
This mixture is next filtered through diatomacious earth and a
plate and frame type filter for final cleaning and is then stored
in finished product tanks.
-------
11
The mixed PCB fluid is next trucked to an uncovered/bermed tank
farm area. Here the truck enters a sheltered area, and the PCB
liquid is pumped from the truck into a distribution storage tank.
From this tank the PCB liquid is pumped to eight handling stations
located throughout the production area.
Recycled PCB from the manufacturing operations is generally
returned through pumps into a storage tank or into 55 gallon
drums and from there it is either filtered for reuse or sent
to incineration if defective.
C. Capacitor Manufacturing
There are seventeen companies in the U.S. which manufacture
PCB capacitors at nineteen plants. Five of these plants
are located in New England.
A capacitor consists of an aluminum or steel can into which
is placed a roll winding of kraft paper and/or polypropylene film
with aluminum foil impregnated with PCBs. Figure 1 is a photograph
of several smaller capacitors and their contents.
Presently 90-95 percent of all impregnated capacitors manufactured
in the U.S. are of the PCB type. Two important types of capacitors
are phase correctors on power lines and ballast capacitors for
fluorescent lighting. Aroclor 1016 is the prinicipal PCB used in
this application.
-------
12
FIGURE 1. TYPICAL PCB CAPACITORS
-------
13
Capacitors used in lighting and air conditioning applications
contain 0.05 to 1.0 pounds of Aroclor. The largest power
capacitors contain about 77 pounds of Aroclor, with the most
popular size containing 36 pounds. Capacitors are not rebuilt
and returned to service after failure. They are disposed of and
replaced by new units.
The current market for capacitors used in lighting applications
is about 44,000,000 units annually of which 10% are estimated to
be replacement ballasts. The current market for capacitors in air
conditioning application is above 12,000,000 units annually,
with 5% of these estimated to be for replacement usage. The market
for capacitors in industrial electronics applications is estimated
at 28,000,000 units per year with no estimate as to the relative
size of the replacement market.
Liquid PCS Handling - In most capacitor manufacturing plants PCBs
are shipped via tank car to a rail siding several miles from the plant.
A specially designated tank truck is then utilized to transfer the
PCBs from the rail yard to the manufacturing plant. PCBs are then
unloaded from the tank trucks and transferred to storage tanks, usually
without the benefits of any curbs or dikes.
From the raw storage tanks, the PCBs are filtered through Fuller's
earth and stored in finished product storage tanks. The PCBs are
then pumped to the impregnation area where small capacitors are flood
filled in a vacuum tank and large capacitors are either flood filled
in a vacuum tank or filled directly through a hose connected to the
capacitor.
-------
Liquid PCB contaminated during the impregnation process
is pumped into a designeated tank and from there either filtered
and reused, or if defective, pumpted to a scrap storage tank.
-------
15
CHAPTER III
STUDY RESULTS
A. Results of Capacitor and Transformer Manufacturing Plant Surveys
The following information on the five capacitor and one transformer
manufacturing plants located in New England was acquired during
plant visits by EPA personnel and by official EPA enquiries sent
•
out under Section 308 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
1. Quantities and Characteristics of PCB Waste Generated
The types of PCB wastes generated as a result of the
manufacturing of capacitors and transformers can be
divided into liquid wastes (excluding wastewater effluent)
and solid wastes:
Liquid wastes consists primarily of PCB so contaminated
during the manufacturing process that it cannot be
upgraded by filtration for reuse. Other sources of
liquid wastes include sumps, drums and drip pans,
contaminated vacuum pump oils, fractionator bottoms from
the trichloroethylene recovery, spent detergent
washwater from the capacitor cleaning operation
(from the Jard Plant in Vermont), and spent PCB vacuum
pump heat transfer fluid (from Universal Manufacturing
Corporation in Connecticut).
Solids generated consist primarily of reject capacitors
and miscellaneous contaminated wastes. Reject capacitors
(3 to 5% of the capacitors producted are rejected for
mechanical or electrical reasons) represent the bulk
-------
16
of the solid waste generated at the capacitor
manufacturing plants. Miscellaneous wastes Include
absorbent material used to clean small spills and
drippings, cotton and rubber gloves, spent filter media
used to upgrade contaminated PCBs, wiping rags and
newspapers.
i
Table 1 presents a summary of the quantities of PCB
liquid and solid wastes generated by each of the
six major PCB users in New England for the years 1971
thru 1974. Adequate data to quantify each of the
wastes generated at these capacitor and manufacturing
plants is 'not available.
TABLE 1
PCB INDUSTRIAL WASTE
GENERATION IN NEW ENGLAND
(1971 thru 1974)
Year Liquids (Ibs.) Solids (Ibs.)*
1971 362,000 157,090
1972 296,040 228,130
1973 601,910 . 280,430
1974 440,550 276.680
Total 1,700,000 942,130
Total liquids and solids 2,642,8'JO )hs.
* Solid waste quantities primarily represent reject capacitors.
Data on solid PCB waste generated by G.E. Pittsfield not available
-------
17
2. PCS Waste Processing and Disposal
This second section on the results of the plant
surveys has been broken down into the following
three categories: liquid PCB wastes, solid PCB
wastes, and PCB contaminated sludges.
Liquid PCB Wastes - Prior to 1970 liquid PCB
wastes were disposed of primarily in municipal and
private land disposal sites, with some quantities
being used as dust suppressant on dirt roads. Table 2
contains a summary of the historical PCB wastes
processing and disposal practices utilized by the major
PCB users in New England.
With the growing concern over PCB in the
environment and the availability of Monsanto's
liquid incinerator, most of the liquid PCB wastes
generated in New England since 1970 have been
processed in liquid incinerators.
There are currently several commercial incinerators
available for disposal of liquid PCB wastes
(See Appendix A). One of these incinerators has
been developed by the General Electric Company
-------
Company
1. Aerovox Industries, Inc.
Cornell-Dubiller
Electronic Corporation
General Electric
t 2
PCB INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISPOSAL PRACTICES
IN NEW ENGLAND
PCB Solids Disposal
Prior to 1971 - New Bedford Municipal
Incinerator Shawmut Avenue (Ash dis-
posed of on site).
1971 thru 1975 - New Bedford
Municipal Disposal Si.te Shawmut
Avenue.
1976 to date - Storage on site.
Awaiting development of State policy.
Quantities generated: 218,000 Ibs.
from 1971 thru 1974.
00
PCB Liquids Waste Disposal
Prior to 1971 - Exact disposal methods
unknown. Is suspected large quantities
went to New Bedford Municipal Disposal
Site.
1971 to date-commercial liquid incinera-
tion.
Quantities generated: 320,000 Ibs.
from 1971 thru 1974.
Disposal Methods same as for Aerovox Industries (See Above)
Quantities generated: 244,300 Ibs.
from 1971 thru 1974.
1932 thru 1948 - No records available
G.E. serviced by various private
disposal sites.
Quantities generated: 669,000 Ibs.
from 1971 thru 1974.
1932 thru 1970 - No records available.
Suspect liquid used as dust suppressant
and disposed of in various private
disposal sites.
1948 thru 1970 - Wastes processed by
?i«?flClJ munlfiP«l incinerator (closed 1971 to date _ gtored on slte
1953). After closure of incinerator on-site liquid incinerator became
wastes were hauled to municipal disposal operational
site.
10-7, ,. A .. c... * , , Quantities Incinerated: 269,775 Ibs.
1971 to date - Storing PCB contaminated from 1973 thru lst 6 months 1975
wasted in 55 gallon drums in G.E. scrap
yard in Pittsfield.
Quantiites Generated: No data available
-------
Company
Jard Company, Inc.
5. Sprague Electric Company
6. Universal Manufacturing
Corporation
PCS Solids Disposal
1970 thru 1975-Bennington, Vermont
Municipal Disposal Site.
1976 to date-storage awaiting
shipment to out of State
disposal site.
t
Quantities generated: 153,700
Ibs. from 1971 thru 1974
1950's thru 1975 - North Adams
Municipal Disposal Site.
1975 to date - storage on site,
awaiting development of State
policy.
Quantities generated: 178,000 Ibs.
From 1971 thru 1974.
1959 thru 1975 - Bridgeport *
Municipal Incinerator•
1976 to date - storage on site,
awaiting development of State policy.
Quantities generated: 144,200 Ibs.
from 1971 thru 1974.
PCS Liquids Waste Disposal
1970 thru 1971 - Bennington, Vermont
Municipal Disposal Site.
1972 to date - commercial liquid
incineration.
Quantities: 49,500 Ibs. From
1972 thru 1974
1950's to 1971 - No records available,
1971 to date - commercial liquid
incineration
Quantities generated: 507,000 Ibs.
From 1971 thru 1974.
1959 thru 1969 - Bridgeport Municipal
Sea Side Park Disposal Site.
1970 thru 1975 - Private landfill
In Cranston, Rhode Island.
1976 to date - Storage awaiting
commercial incineration.
Quantities generated: 137,000 Ibs.
from 1971 thru 1974.
M
VO
-------
20
in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in order to adequately
destroy the liquid PCS wastes generated by their
Pittsfield transformer manufacturing operation.
In September of 1974, KPA, Region T conducted a
stark test on this liquid injection incinerator
to demonstrate the ability of this unit to
destroy liquid DDT. During the course of this
test, PCB waste oil was utilized as a supplemental
fuel. The results of the test burn indicated that the
G.E. facility had a very high destruction efficiency
with both DDT and PCB (99.99%).* Table 6
provides background information on the operating
*
characteristics of this facility and the PCB test
data.
Solid PCB Wastes - Historically, the primary method of
disposal in New England of PCB solid wastes has been
via the municipal disposal operation (i.e. municipal
incineration or land disposal) with some quantities
going to private disposal sites. See Table 2 for a
summary of the historical disposal methods and disposal
sites utilized by the six major PCB users in New England.
*For a detailed discussion of this test burn see: EPA Region I Report:
"Demonstration Test Burn of DDT in General Electric's Liquid
Injection Incinerator", by I. Leighton and J. Feldman.
-------
21
As a result of discussions with federal and
state officials, the PCB capacitor and transformer
manufacturers in New Kngland have discontinued
the prnrrico of disposing of tlu-ir I'CH w.-isit-s In
conventional' landfills and municipal incinerators.
Currently, the major PCB users in New England
are reportedly either storing their PCB solid waste
(primarily reject capacitors) awaiting development
of local secure disposal facilities or sending
their wastes to out-of-state hazardous waste management
facilities for proper disposal. (See Appendix A for
list of available facilities).
Table 3 contains a summary of background information
on those disposal sites known to have received
industrial solid and liquid PCB wastes.
PCB Sludge Disposal - The manufacturing plants of the
six major users of PCB in New England have wastewater
discharges that are treated by a total of five municipal
sewage treatment plants. (See Table 4) These plant
discharges contain measurable quantities of PCBs. Previous
studies have indicated that PCBs in the influent
to sewage treatment plants tend to concentrate in the
sewage sludge. Because of the concentration affect,
PCB analysis was performed on sludge samples taken from
each of the five sewage treatment plants. Sludge
generation rates were estimated and current processing
-------
TABLE 3
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON LAND DISPOSAL SITES
Location
of
Site
New Bedford,
MA
:
Bennlngton,
VT
Pittsfield,
MA
North Adams,
MA
Bridgeport,
CT
Cranston,
RI
Owned/
Operated
by
City of
New Bedford
.»
Town of
Bennlngton
City of
Pittsfield
Town of
North
Adams
City of
Bridgeport
Sanitary
Landfill Inc.
(Private)
Source: State
Approx. Approx. Approx.
Age Total Total
of Area Area
Site Filled
56 Years 40 Acres 24 Acres
8 Years 28 Acres 8 Acres
24 Years 42 Acres 36 Acres
41 Years 72 Acres 36 Acres
20 Years 125 Acres 125 Acres
28 Years 40 Acres 40 Acres
Solid Waste Officials
Geology Depth
Soils to
Ground
Water
Wetland Water
Peat underlain at
by sand and Surface
silt
Abandoned 0 to 8*
Gravel
Pit
Sand and 15'
Gravel
Sand and 35'
Gravel
Sand 0
_ _
Proximity
to
Surface
Water •
1/2 Mile to
Piskamanset
River
700' to
intermittent
stream
50' to
Housatoric
River
50' small
Spring Fed
Scream
200' to
Long Island
Sound
450' to
Pawtucksett
River
CN
CM
-------
23
and disposal methods were examined. Results from this
effort are presented in Table A. As Table A indicates
the two primary disposal methods utilized are land
disposal /nppl irat ion and incineration.
Historic-ally tlic .slml}-*.' from Llio lk-nnin>;ton wnsLivw:iU-r
treatment plant went to the bcnnington municipal disposal
site which has also received large quantities of PCB
wastes from Jard Manufacturing Company (See Table 2).
Sludge from the Pittsfield Sewage Treatment has always been
disposed of on the 125 acre site where the sewage plant
is located. An investigation has not been undertaken
of this site which is located next to the Housatonic
River.
liotli of these plants reported that limited quantities
of Lhcir sludge were taken hy home owners for use on home
gardens. (Both flower and vegetable.) It was recommended
by EPA to the plant operator that this practice be dis-
continued.
The small quantities of sludge generated by the North
Adams Sewage Treatment Plant is used as a soil conditioner
at various municipal facilities (golf course, cemetery,
little league field). Starting in December 1976, the
wastewater treated by the plant will be treated by a
new regional plant in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
-------
TABLE 4
SEWAGE SLUDGE QUANTITIES AND COMPOSITION
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Location
1. Bennlngton, VT
2. Bridgeport, CT
.
3. New Bedford, MA
4. North Adams, MA
5. Pittsfield, MA
Estimated
Quantities Of
Major PCB Sludge Generated
Source (tons/wk)
Jard Manufacturing 5
Company (40% solids)
Universal Manufacturing 35
Company (20% solids)
Aerovox Industries Inc. 42
(22% solids)
Cornell-Dubilier
Electronic Company
Sprague Electirc Co. 1
(6% solids)
General Electric Corp. 31
(40% solids)
Sludge
Disposal
Method
municipal
land disposal
site
sludge
multiple
hearth
incineration
sludge
multiple
hearth
incineration
used as soil
conditioner at
municipal
facilities
land disposal
on site
Aroclor
Detected
1016
1254
1016
1254
1016
1254
1016
1254
1016
1016
1254
1016
1254
1260
PCB
Concentrations
(ppb)
sediment-2800
sediment-2000
sediment-46000
sediment-5200
sediment-64000
sedlment-9600
sediment- 28000
sediment-2800
sediment-39000
sediment-28000
sod linen t-6400
sediment-1400
sediment-8000
sediment-8000
Date Of
Sample
Collection
3/76
5/76
3/76
4/76
4/76
5/76
2/76
-------
25
Both the New Bedford and Bridgeport Municipal Sewage
Treatment Plants utilize multiple hearth sludge incinerators
as a means of processing their sludge. Tests have
shown that sludge incinerator emissions can contain
persistent organic compounds, such as PCBs. The results
of the emissions tests performed on the Palo Alto,
California Municipal Sludge incinerator are contained in
Table 6.
The "Proposed Technical Bulletin on Municipal Sludge Management;
Environmental Factors" recommends that if the PCBs exceed
25 mg/kg (ppm) dry sludge, then special measures should be
taken to ensure at least 95 percent destruction of the
PCBs in incineration. The concentrations of PCBs in
the sludge at both the New Bedford and Bridgeport Sewage
Treatment Plants exceed the 25 ppm.
Because of the potential emissions of PCBs to the
atmosphere, steps have been taken to conduct a stack test
on one of these sludge incinerators. The performance
of the New Bedford sludge incinerator will be tested
during the fall of 1976.
-------
B. Results of Field Investigation and Sampling Efforts
After completing the capacitor and manufacturing plant surveys,
a limited field investigation and sampling program was undertaken
to determine: 1. the potential for PCB migration from land
disposal; 2. the potential for PCB air emissions from municipal
incinerators; and 3. the feasibility of evacuating reject capacitors,
The following are the results of our investigation.
1. PCB Land Disposal Sampling Program
Large quantities of PCB wastes are known to exist
in land disposal sites in New England. As with other
materials, the potential exists for movement of PCBs
in leachate* from the land disposal sites causing
contamination of surface and subsurface water. Because of
this potential contamination, an investigation was undertaken
of three categories of land disposal sites:
a) The first category consists of those
disposal sites identified as having received
substantial quantities of PCB liquid
and/or solid wastes from the capacitor
and transformer manufacturing plants
in New England. Monitoring was conducted
at three of the six sites
*Leachate is defined as liquid which has percolated through solid waste and has
extracted dissolved and suspended materials from it.
-------
27
(see Table 3) identified as having received wastes
from the major PCB users. Two of those sites were
selected because of the known existence of surface
leachate and/or groundwater monitoring wells
(Bennington, Vermont and Cranston, Rhode Island.)
The New Bedford municipal disposal site on Shawmut
Avenue was selected as the third site because of
the large quantities of PCB wastes in the site and
its proximity to the Dartmouth, Massachusetts drinking
water supply. Region I EPA funds were appropriated to
hire a consultant geologist and to install monitoring
wells at this site. The report of the geologist is
attached (see Appendix B). Figure 2 shows the well
drilling and relative proximity of the wells to the
edge of the landfill.
b) The second category consists-of sites receiving
substantial volumes of industrial wastes but not
specifically PCB wastes from capacitor and transformer
manufacturing plants. Included in this category
are Peabody, Massachusetts; Bristol and New Britain,
Connecticut.
-------
28
pf^sf^gwF
jfepwjfrraitf \','iV
C^C'^ "^-^ff^j^^^f^fff^^Xjf-^
FIGURE 2. INSTALLATION OF MONITORING WELLS
AT THE NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS
MUNICIPAL LANDFILL. (NOTE PROXIMITY
OF WELLS TO EDGE OF LANDFILL).
-------
29
c) The third category consists of disposal sites receiving
primarily residential and commercial wastes. Included
in this category are Danvers, Massachusetts; Bangor
and Waterville, Maine; Windham and Beacon Falls, Connecticut,
The purpose of investigating these Innd disposal sites was to attempt
to determine whether or not there was migration of PCBs out of these
disposal sites. No attempt was made to determine the extent of
any movement or to reach any conclusions concerning the significance
of land disposal sites as a source of PCBs.
The five Category 3 sites were specifically chosen for the purpose of
developing baseline or background levels of PCBs that night be released
from post consumer wastes contained in municipal disposal sites.
Four different types of samples were collected. Samples vere taken
of surface leachate (containing solids and liquid) which is surface
drainage that appears at the toe of a landfill. Samples were
collected of groundwater where monitoring wells either existed or
were installed. Soil samples were taken from split spoon cores
acquired during the installation of monitoring wells. Finally,
samples were taken from an industrial lagoon in Bennington, Vermont
containing liquids and sludges. Figure 3 shows the industrial lagoon
at Bennington, Vermont.
-------
30
FIGURE 3. INDUSTRIAL WASTE LAGOON, BENNINGTON, VERMONT.
-------
31
The results of the sampling effort are summarized in Table 5. In terms
of detection, the greatest occurrence of detectable levels of PCB
(Ippb detection limit) took place at the sites known to have received
PCB wastes from the major PCB users. At these sites, 9 out of 10
surface sampling points and 2 of 10 groundwater sampling points
showed positive results for PCB.
The samples collected at refuse disposal sites receiving significant
industrial contributions showed 0 of 3 surface sampling points and
1 of 1 ground water sampling points as containing greater than Ippb
of PCS. None of the 4 surface samples collected at the domestic waste
landfills was above the detectable limit. (Groundwater samples
were not collected at these sites).
EPA's Office of Solid Waste Management Programs has conducted a PCB
4
sampling program at 11 landfills. The sites were selected on the basis
that they did not accept industrial PCB wastes. The range of valves
found in the study were:
leachate from municipal landfills — less than 1 to 640 ppt.*
groundwater in the vicinity — less than 1 to 10 ppt.
surface water in the vicinity — less than 1 to 16 ppt.
*parts per trillion
-------
CO
to
TABLE 5
PCS LAND DISPOSAL SITE MONITORING RESULTS
Site Location
Sampled
Type of Sample Date Sample
Collected Sampling Method Taken
Category I (Sites receiving
A. New BedEord,
Massachusetts
Sanitary
Landfill
1.
2.
3.
it.
5.
; PCB Waste from major PCB users)
Groundwater-GW-1 pump wells 3/26/76
Groundwater-GW-2 " "
Groundwater-GW-3 " "
Groundwater-GW-4 " "
Split Sample grab sample "
Analytical Results
1016
N.D.1'2'3
Ippb
N.D.
N.D.
lOppb
1254
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
1260
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
Leachate Seep
6. Soil Sample-S-1
(0-7.5 ft.)
7. Soil Sample-S-2
(10-12 ft.
(near GW-3)
split spoons
(from well GW-3
73ppb of Aroclor 1232
5800ppb 1700ppb N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
8. Soil Sample-S-3
N.D.
N.D
N.D.
-------
Site Location
Sampled
B. Sanitary
Landfill
Inc., Cranston,
Rhode Island
C. Bennington,
Vermont
Municipal
Landfill
Type of Sample
Collected
1. Groundwater A
2. Groundwater E
1. Groundwater (L-l)
2. Groundwater (D-2)
3. Groundwater (D-3)
4. Leacha te Seep-A
ii
5. Leachate Seep-B
6. Leachate seep-C
7. Leachate seep-D
8. Leachate eeep-E
operating lift
9. Leachate seep-F
Date Sample
Analytical Results
Sampling Method
pump existing wells
"
pump existing wells
ii it ii
ii ii ii
grab sample
"
ii
11
ii
Taken
4/8/76
"
1/20/76
1/20/76
it
3/31/76
5/4/76
5/4/76
5/4/76
5/4/76
5/4/76
1016
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
1300ppb
liquid5
Ippb
sediment
72ppb
liquid
5ppb
sediment
llOppb
liquid
85ppb
sediment
3900ppb
sediment
760ppb
liquid
N.D.
1254
N.D.
2ppb
N.D.
•N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
52ppb
5ppb
88ppb
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
1260
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D,
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
U)
W
-------
10
Site Location
Sampled
Type of Sample
Collected
10. Private Well
11. Industrial Lagoon
12. Industrial lagoon
Sampling Method
pump existing
well
Date Sample
Taken
5/4/76
3/18/76
3/31/76
Analytical Results
1016 1254 1260
N.D.
N.D.
liquid
210000ppb N.D.
sediment
4.0xl07 N.D.
liquid
60,000ppb N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
Category II (Sites with large industrial contribution)
A. Bristol, Connecticut Leachate (composite- grab sample
Municipal landfill 2 leachate seeps)
B. New Britain
Municipal Landfill
Berlin, Connecticut
C. Peabody,
Massachusetts
Municipal Disposal
Site
Groundwater
Surface Leachate
4/6/76
pump existing wells
2/25/76
N.D.
24ppb
N.D.
N.D.
22ppb
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
Category III (Sites receiving primarily Residential Wastes)
A. Bangor, Maine
Municipal
Disposal
Site
Surface Leachate
grab sample
3/15/76
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
-------
Type of Sample
Collected
Surface Leachate
Site Location
Sampled
B. Beacon Falls,
Connecticut
Private
Landfill
C. Danvers, " "
Massachusetts
Municipal Disposal
Site
D. Waterville, Maine "
Municipal Disposal
Site
E. Windham, Connecticut Leachate pond
Municipal landfill
Sampling Method
Grab Sample
Date Sample
Taken
4/6/76
2/25/76
3/15/76
4/6/76
Analytical Results
1016 1254 1260
N.D. N.D.
N.D. N.D.
N.D. N.D.
N.D. N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
Footnotes
1. Not detected. This indicates that the PCB level was below the detection limit. The detection limit when
extracting 1,000 ml of water is 0.001 ug/ml (1 ppb). However, the detection limits of some of the
Aroclors in these samples are higher because large amounts of one of the other Aroclors in a sample
required that dilutions of that sample extract be used for quantification.
2. Unless otherwise indicated, PCB analysis performed by EPA National Enforcement Investigation Center,
Denver, Colorado.
3. The gas cinematographic pattern of Aroclor 1016 greatly resembles that of Aroclor 1242 and it is not
always possible to distinguish one from the other, especially in the presence of other Aroclors.
4. Analysis performed on split sample by Westinghouse Ocean Research Laboratory, Annapolis, Md. under
contract with EPA - Suspect Sample Contaminated.
5. Samples with high solids content were centrifuged with the resultant liquid and solid fractions
iparately analyzed for PCBs.
Ui
-------
36
The results of examining five soil samples taken at the surface sampling
points in Bennington, Vermont and three split spoon samples collected
at New Bedford, Massachusetts indicate that PCBs have a strong affinity
for soil. The ability of soil to retain PCB in the long term, the
rate of biological decay in the soil and the quantative removal
capacity of various soils can not be determined from the limited
data from this study.
The highest levels of PCBs found were in the liquid and sediment samples
taken from the industrial lagoon in Bennington, Vermont. The
concentrations of PCBs were considerably higher by a factor 1000 x in the
solid phase as compared to the liquid phase, again demonstrating
the high affinity of soil for PCBs.
In summary, the results of the landfill monitoring program indicate
that PCBs are contained in the leachates leaving land disposal sites,
however, no assessment of environmental impact can be made without
better understanding of the long term movement of PCB in soil
and groundwater.
2. PCB Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration
As previously noted, PCBs have had many historical uses which would cause
them to appear in the conventional municipal solid waste stream. In New
England there are still a considerable number of incinerators processing
municipal solid wastes. Open hearth and other incinerators used for
municipal refuse incineration are not nortally suitable for destroying
-------
RESULTS OF AIR EMISSIONS TESTS
ON INCINERATION FACILITIES
Feed Average
Operating ^^ of Flow Rate
Type of
Facility
Stamford
Conn.
Municipal
Incinerator
6
Chicago
211 North-
west Municipal
Incinerator
Palo AJto7
California
Municipal
Multiple
Hearth
Sludge
Incinerator
2
General
Electric
Pittsfield
Waste
Processed
Mixed
Municipal
Solid Waste
and dried
Municipal
Sludge
Mixed
Municipal
Solid Waste
Municipal
Sewage
Sludge
w/50ppm
of PCB
(dry soUds
basle)
Liquid
Industrial
Chlorinated
Design
Capacity
340 tpd
refuse
20 tpd
sludge
<§ 20%
moisture
1600 tpd
refuse
1200 Ibs./
hr . of
Sludge
(? 15%
solids
Up to
4 gpm
Emission
Control
Equipment
Electro--
static
Precipita-
te rs
Electro-
static
Precipita-
tor
Scrubber
Packed
Bed
Scrubber
Sampling
Point
Stack
after
Precipi-
tator
Stack
after
Precipi-
tator
Stack
after
Scrubber
Stack
after
Scrubber
iemp
r\ J
During
T .
Test
Op
F
1600°
1500°
to o
2000
1100°
to o
1500
1600°
to 0
1800
Waste of Stack
During Gas During
Test Test (SCF
Tons/Hr. Dry/Hr.)
17 tons 6,595,018
refuse.
1 to 1.5
tons sludge
(20%
moisture)
15 to 20 2,790,000
0.60 432,720
to
0.80
dry
solids
0.8 236,000
to
1.3 gpm
Average
Cone of
PCB in
Stack
Gas
Lbs/SCF Dry
4.2 X 10~9
2 X 10"9*
3.2 X 10~9
t0 -9
9.0 X 10 y
1.3 X 10~9
Massachusetts
liquid
Injection
Incinerator
oils containing
PCB
t data reported normally reflects combination of filter catch and impinger catch data.
Chicago Northwest Incinerator testing, imping- fetch data is not included due to a
problem with the solvent.
Average
Mass
Emission
Rate
Lbs/Hr.
2.5 X 10~2
5.41 X 10~3
1.46 X 10
to
4.13 X 10
,-3
-3
3.2 X 10
-4
-------
38
PCBs. The relatively low operating temperature of such equipment would
only volatilize the PCBs and pollute the atmosphere.
In order to assess the potential contribution of PCB to the atmosphere
from the incineration of municipal solid waste, a stack test was conducted
on the Stamford, Connecticut incinerator. This facility was chosen
because it was of modern design, had a sampling point which complied with
EPA's stack testing procedures, utilized acceptable emission control
equipment, and processed municipal sludge as well as solid waste
thereby providing a more comprehensive examination of the municipal
wastestrearn.
The results of three sequential stack tests indicated that the stack gas
-9
contained an average concentration of 412 x 10 Ibs. of PCB per standard
cubic foot of gas emitted to the atmosphere. Based on the gas flows
recorded during the test the mass emission rate for the Stanford
_2
incinerator was 2.5 x 10 Ibs. of PCB per hr. Table 6 provides information
on the operating conditions of the incinerator during the test.
Table 6 also reports available data on other PCB emission tests.
This data has been presented in order to provide some insight into
the relative significance of the Stamford test data. However, it
should be noted that comparison of the Stamford data with the other
reported test results is extremely difficult due to basic differences
in sampling technique. Differences in the configuration of the sampling
trains and variation in the solvents used in the impingers make detailed
comparison impossible.
-------
39
In general the available data indicates that of the sources tested,
municipal refuse incinerators appear to have the highest PCS mass emission
rate. The concentrations of PCB were the same order of magnitude for all
the sources tested thus the higher mass emission rates from municipal solid
waste incinerators are primarily a result of the larger volumes of waste
processed and the higher gas flow rates.
In three of the four emission test reported in Table 6 the highest portion
of the PCE was captured as a gas in the impingers. Only 5 to 6% of the
total PCB catch was in the particulate category indicating that the majority
of the PCBs are in fact volatilized in these processes.
Comparison of the concentrations observed in the stack gas from the processing
facilities tested with the ambient air quality data in Table 7 indicates
that the concentration of PCB in the stack gas is approximately 3 to 4
orders of magnitude greater than the reported background data. This
comparison must also be viewed with caution due to the variation in
ambient air sampling techniques utilized.
In summary PCBs have been isolated in the stack gas of several processing
facilities^however the environmental significance of these results cannot be
interpreted due to the lack of a standardized test procedure and the absence
of health effects information for non occupational exposures.
3. Evacuation of off specification capacitors
As previously indicated in Table 2}Aerovox historically disposed
of their solid PCB wastes in the New Bedford land disposal site.
To date, further disposal of PCB wastes in this site has been prohibited
by Massachusetts State officials. Subsequently Aerovox Industries,
-------
TABLE 7
TEST RESULTS OF AMBIENT AIR SAMPLING
Location
of Test
Date
of
Testing
Agency
Sponsoring
Tests
ng/m
3*
Concentrations
Ibs/scf
Suburban
Miami, Florida
Jackson, Mississippi
Fort Collins, Colorado
Source: Reference 8
April - June 1976
Office of Pesticide
, EPA
100 (Ave. 3 locations)
6.0 X 10
12
Chicago, Illinois
Source: Reference 6
October - November
1976
EPA, Region V,
Chicago, Illinois
170 (Ave. Station 1)
140 (Ave. Station 2)
1.1 X 10
9.0 X 10
-11
I
-12
University of
Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode
Island
Source: Reference 9
January - February
1973
University of
Rhode Island
2.1 to 5.8
1.3 to 3.6 X
10-13
Providence, Rhode
Island
Source: Reference 9
May 1973
University of Rhode
Island
9.4
5.9 X 10
-12
*ng/m3 = nanograms per cubic meter
-------
Al
Inc., initiated an experimental program to evacuate the liquid PCB
from reject capacitors prior to disposal. The objective of this test
program was to determine if the PCB in the reject capacitor could
be reduced to a level sufficient to justify disposal in a municipal
landfill.
The procedure utilized was based on one developed by Mailory Battery
of Waynesboro, Tennessee. The procedure basically calls for puncturing
the reject capacitors, placing them back in an impregnation chamber
and subjecting the capacitors to heat (280° to 400 F) and vacuum
for 24 to 48 hours.
PCB analysis was performed by the EPA and also by a private
laboratory on the internal parts removed from several evacuated
capacitors. While the results (see Table 8) from the
two laboratories varied significantly, residual PCBs were
still found in the evacuated reject capacitors.
Table 8
PCB Analysis of Evacuated Reject Capacitors
EPA Lab. Analysis
grams of PCB/capacitor
1. single capacitor - 3.0
2. composite sample 2.2
(of 5 capacitors)
Private Lab. Analysis
grams PCB/capacitor
1. composite sample
(of 2 capacitors) .045
2. composite sample .06
(of 2 capacitors)
-------
42
CHAPTER VI
REGULATIONS
The regulation and control of hazardous wastes (including PCBs) disposal
on land has historically been a state responsibility. On October 22, 1976,
this changed when new Federal Solid Waste legislation was signed into
law. This new legislation authorizes EPA to develop through the states
a uniform comprehensive hazardous waste regulatory program.
Following is a summary of the hazardous waste provisions of the new
Federal solid waste legislation along with summaries of other Federal
and state regulations and guidelines which impact on the management of PCBs
in the environment.
1. Under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976,
Section 3001 gives EPA 18 months after enactment to promulgate criteria
for identifying hazardous wastes and list those wastes which shall be
regulated. Also within 18 months after enactment, EPA must promulgate
standards governing generators (3002) and transporters (3003) of
hazardous wastes, as prescribed in the law, and performance standards
for owners/operators of treatment, storage and disposal facilities (3004).
Section 3005 gives EPA 18 months to promulgate regulations requiring
treatment, storage or disposal facilities to hold a permit issued
by EPA or an authorized state program. Guidelines to assist development
of state programs must be promulgated within 18 months after enactment
under Section 3006.
-------
Section 3007 authorizes Federal and state inspection of facilities
and records and makes certain information publicly available. Section 3008
provides for Federal enforcement through compliance orders or civil
action, after 30-day notices of violation are issued. EPA must give
states with authorized programs 30 days to correct violations occurring
there before taking action. Civil penalties may include fines up
to $25,000 per day of violation; criminal penalties could reach $50,000
per day and two years imprisonment.
Section 3009 provides that no state or local government may impose
less stringent hazardous waste management regulations. Section 3010
requires existing generators, transporters and facility operators
to inform EPA or authorized states of their operations within 90
days after promulgation of Section 3001 regulations; all regulations
would take effect six months after promulgation. Section 3011 authoriZes
$25-million in each of fiscal years 1978 and 1979 for grants to help
states develop and Implement hazardous waste programs, awarded according
to need.
2. Under Section 204 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act as amended, EPA
has developed "Recommended Disposal Procedures for PCB Wastes". The
recommended procedures are addressed primarily to industrial users.
Published in the April 1, 1976 Federal Register, Vol. 41, No. 64,
the Recommended options for the disposal of PCB-containing wastes (in
priority order) are:
Incineration
Controlled Land Disposal
-------
44
o
Incineration should have a two-second dwell time at 1100 C and 3%
excess oxygen in the stack, or a 1.5-second dwell time at 1500°C
and 2% excess oxygen in the stack gas. Open hearth and other
incinerators used for municipal refuse are not normally suitable,
since the relatively low operating temperature would only volatilize
the PCBs and pollute the atmosphere. Incineration of solid PCB-bearing
wastes has not been demonstrated but appears to be feasible in
suitably equipped furnaces.
The ubiquity and persistence of PCBs indicate that their disposal
should be carefully controlled until additional data are developed.
While these data are being gathered, PCBs (when disposed to the land)
should be placed in a secure chemical waste landfill. In general terms,
a chemical waste landfill provides complete longterm protection for the
quality of surface and subsurface waters from hazardous waste deposited
therein and against hazards to public health and the environment.
3. Under the New Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 EPA will
prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) not in "enclosed systems," beginning one year
after enactment, unless the EPA finds that continued use of PCBs in
some other manner would not threaten health or the environment. Manufacture
of all PCBs would be prohibited two years after enactment, and processing
or distribution two and one half years after enactment, unless the agency
makes exceptions. EPA must also issue labeling and disposal regulations
by July 1977.
-------
4. Under the Federal Water Pollution Act of 1972, EPA has proposed
regulations (July 23, 1976 Federal Register) to limit the discharge of PCB.
The regulations, which will take effect within 18 months, would prohibit
any discharge of PCBs by industries manufacturing the chemicals. The
prohibition also would apply^with some exceptions, to process wastes from
industries using PCBs in the production of electrical transformers and
capacitors, which is now the primary use of the chemical. Other types
of discharges also would be controlled.
In addition to the specific discharge prohibitions, EPA's.regulations would
require manufacturers of electrical equipment containing the chemical
to control PCB levels inrem-process discharges. These include, for
example, the runoff of storm water and cleaning water contaminated by the
manufacturing process.
EPA's proposals would affect about 10 plants which use the chemical in the
production of transformers and capacitors, and one plant which manufactures
PCBs.
5. The Food and Drug Administration has set tolerances for PCB contamination
of animal feeds, foods, and food packaging in its final rulemaking document
published on July 6, 1973 (Federal Register, Vol. 38, No. 129). These
tolerances, expressed as parts per million are as follows:
(1) Milk (fat basis) 2.5
(2) Dairy products (fat basis) 2.5
-------
(3) Poultry (fat basis) 5.0
Eggs °-5
(5) Complete and finished animal feeds 0.2
for food producing animals
(6) Animal feed components 2.0
(7) Fish and shellfish (Edible portion) 5.0
(8) Infant and Junior food 0.2
(9) Paper food - packaging material 10.0
On February 26, 1976, FDA announced that it is actively considering a lower
temporary tolerance for fish in light of recent toxicological data concerning
PCBs. FDA has also banned PCBs for use in food and feed processing.
6. On October 29, 1970, under the authority of (FIFRA) the Pesticides
Regulation Division, administered then by the Department of Agriculture,
issued a notice (PR Notice 70-25) to all pesticide manufacturers and
distributors to eliminate the use of polychlorinated biphenyls and
polychlorinated terphenyls from their formulation and products. Presently,
there should be no pesticides on the market or in use containing PCBs.
7. Chemical hazards in the workplace are regulated under the Occupational
Safety and Health Act (OSHA) . The Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with
the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, is authorized to set and
enforce occupational safety and health standards applicable to businesses
affecting interstate commerce.
In Title 29, Section 1910.93, the limits set for chlorodiphenyl compounds
as an air contaminant are 1 mg per cubic meter for Aroclor 1242 and 0.5 mg
per cubic meter for Aroclor 1254, based on 8 hours average exposure. The
Department of Labor could enforce these limits on PCBs.
-------
•47
8. The State of Massachusetts has developed "Hazardous Waste Regulations"
under Sections 27, 52, 57 and 58 of Chapter 21 of the General Laws.
These regulations require the issuance of a permit by the Division of Water
Pollution Control to handle, transport; process and dispose of hazardous
wastes. Polychlorinated byphenols are included in the regulations under
the category of "Solvents and Chlorinated Oils".
9. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has developed
administrative regulations requiring department approval for the processing and
disposal of toxic or hazardous industrial wastes. Public Act No. 6-389
of the Connecticut General Laws specifically requires Department of
Environmental Protection approval on all PCB disposal practices.
10. The Rhode Island Health Department has developed "Rules and Regulations
for Solid Waste Management Facilities" which allow only those landfills
having prior approval and utilizing specialized handling procedures to accept
hazardous wastes.
11. In general all of the New England states have the authority to control
PCB disposal practices through their general environmental and health
laws and regulations.
-------
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
1. As a result of past PCB waste management practices utilized
in New England, PCBs have been and continue to be emitted to the
environment. This limited study identified concentrations
of PCBs entering the environment in :
A. surface and subsurface water samples from land
disposal sites
B. sludges from municipal wastewater treatment plants
C. air emissions from a municipal solid waste incinerator
2. The several land disposal sites known to contain large quantities
of industrial PCB waste present a strong threat for environmental
contamination in the future.
3. While this study did not detect PCBs in the leachate from disposal
sites which received only residential and commercial wastes, PCBs
may be present at very low concentrations.
4. Due to the limited number of air, water, and sludge samples
collected during the study and the lack of detailed information
on the mobility and persistence of PCBs in the environment it is
impossible to draw any conclusions concerning the environmental
significance of the results. In general PCBs were detected at
levels which exceeded two of the proposed Federal guidelines:
PCB concentrations in municipal slu^^e exceeded the 25mg/kg
3
monitoring threshold proposed in EPA's technical Bulletin-1
on sludge, and PCB concentrations in liquid discharges from land
-------
49
disposal sites exceeded the proposed wastewater effluent discharge
limit of 1 PPB10.
5. The five capacitor and one transformer manufacturing plants
surveyed in New England are aware of the potential problems
associated with PCBs and are attempting to both minimize
the amounts of waste generated and to improve PCB waste disposal
methods. Aerovox Industries, Inc., of New Bedford, Massachusetts
is investigating a technique for evacuation of waste capacitors
and subsequent reuse of the PCBs. General Electric of Pittsfield,
Massachusetts has constructed a liquid waste incinerator that in
addition to destroying internally generated PCB wastes, accepts
PCB liquid wastes generated by other firms.
6. Incinerator facilities (See Appendix A) are available and are
currently being utilized to adequately dispose of the liquid
PCB wastes being generated in New England.
7. Regardless of industry efforts to improve in plant operating
practices, there remains a need to dispose of unrecoverable wastes -
particularly PCB contaminated solid waste. There are no State
approved "Chemical Waste landfills" or hazardous waste Banagement
processing facilities planned or operating in New England that
could process and dispose of solid PCB wastes in an environmentally
acceptable manner.
-------
50
8. At present, PCB waste management practices as well as other
hazardous waste management practices are in general unregulated
at the Federal, state and local level. With the enactment of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, either state or
Federal programs will be developed by October 1978, to adequately
manage hazardous wastes.
Recommendations
As a result of these findings, the Region I Solid Waste Program of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the following:
1. Ground water monitoring wells should be installed at sites known
to have accepted large quantities of industrial PCB wastes. The
wells should be sampled and analyzed for PCB on a continuous basis.
If the monitoring results indicate potential problems, corrective
action should be taken.
2. Processing and disposal of PCB wastes should be in conformance with the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended procedures for
disposal of PCBs published in the Federal Register on April 1, 1976
(Vol. 41 No. 64, p. 14134) or state regulations whichever are more
stringent.
3. Processing and disposal of municipal sewage treatment plant sludges
should be in conformance with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's Municipal Sludge Management Technical Bulletin published
in the Federal Register on June 3, 1976 (Vol. 41, No. 108, P. 22532)
-------
51
4. Industry must further Improve their ongoing efforts to reduce
the utilization of PCB's as a raw material, increase recycling
of waste inplant, decrease amount of solid waste generated
and properly process and dispose of waste residuals. Costs
for environmentally acceptable processing and disposal options
should be internalized for all residual wastes. This cost
accounting may result in justification for further inplant
processing of wastes for recovery.
5. The New England states and industry should work together to
resolve existing disposal problems. Industries in close proximity
to one another may find it advantageous to reduce individual, costs,
to explore a regional solution themselves.
-------
References
1. PCBs in the United States Industrial Use and Environmental Distribution,
•
(Doc. No. EPA 560/6-76-005 February 25, 1976) Office of Toxic Substances.)
2. Leighton, I and J. Feldman, Demonstration Test Burn of DDT in General
Electric's Liquid Injection Incinerator. EPA Region I Report, November 1974.
3. Proposed Technical Bulletin "Municipal Sludge Management: Environmental
Factors", Federal Register, June 3, 1976, Vol. Al, No. 108.
A. Otte, Alessi, Preliminary Assessment of PCS Disposal in Municipal
Landfills and Incinerators, EPA Solid Waste Report, April 15, 1976.
5. Tucker, E, et. al. Migration of PCBs in Soil by Percolating Water,
Monsanto Company Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology,
Vol. 13 1975.
6. Sampling Survey Related to Possible Emission of Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCBs) from the Incineration of Domestic Refuse, EPA Region V
Report, October - November 1975.
7. Destruction of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Sewage Sludge During
Incineration, Versar Contract, (Unpublished Draft Report)
8. National -Conference on Polychlorinated Biphenyls (November 19-21, 1975)
Doc. No. EPA - 560/6-75-OOA), Office of Toxic Substances.
9. Environmental Cycling of PCBs 1975 Mitre Corporation Contract, (unpublished
Draft Report).
10. Proposed Toxic Pollutant Effluent Standards for Polychlorinated Biphenyls,
Federal Register, July 23, 1976, Vol. Al, No. 108.
-------
APPENDIX A
53
PCB TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL FACILITIES
The firms listed below (not all-
inclusive) will accept PCBs for
treatment or disposal, as noted.
The Environmental Protection
Agency does not endorse any of
these firms and cannot vouch for
the enviromental adequacy of
their operations. Each of these
firms has been contacted and reports
having the required technical
characteristics to adequately handle
PCBs, in accordance with Recommended
Procedures for the Disposal of
PCB-Containing Waste (Industrial
Facilities) as published by EPA in
the Federal Register. The
appropriate State or EPA Regional
Office should be consulted for •
environmental suitability of the
firm/site.
1. California. Class I Landfills
(a) Casmalia Disposal Site
Santa Barbara, California (805-969-4703)
Bulk liquids and drummed materials.
(b) BKK Corporation
Wilmington, California (213-775-3607)
All forms.
(c) Environmental Protection Corporation
Bakersfield, California
All forms.
(d) County of Los Angeles
Whittier, California (213-699-7411)
Facilities: Palos Verdes
Calabasas
All forms.
(e) Richmond Sanitary Service
Richmond, California (415-234-3304)
All forms.
(f) San Diego County
San Diego, California (714-565-5703)
All forms.
(g) Ventura County Dept. of Public Works
Ventura, California (805-648-2717)
All forms.
-------
2. Chemical Waste Disposal Co.
Elizabeth, N.J. (201-351-5460)
Disposal by incineration
3. Chem-Trol Pollution Services, Inc.
Model City, N.Y. (716-754-8231)
Can handle solids and liquids by incineration
or land disposal.
4. General Electric Corp.
Pittsfield, Mass. (413-494-3729)
Can handle only liquids and complete transformers.
Liquids are incinerated.
5. Hyon Waste Management Services, Inc.
Chicago, 111. (312-646-0016)
Can handle solids and liquids by incineration
6. Monsanto Company.
St. Louis, Mo. (800-325-3850)
Handles only liquid askarels manufactured by Monsanto
Disposal is by incineration.
7. Nuclear Engineering Co., Inc.
Louisville, Ky. (502-426-7160)
Facilities: Sheffield, 111.
Beatty, Nev.
Disposal by landfill. Can handle drummed liquids
and solids.
8. Rollins Environmental Services
Main Office: Wilmington, Delaware (302-658-8541)
Facilities: Bridgeport, N.J.
Baton Rouge, La.
Houston, Texas
Can handle solids and liquids by incineration.
9. Texas Ecologists, Inc.
Robstown, Texas (512-387-3518)
Disposal by landfill.
10. Wes Con, Inc.
Twin Falls, Idaho (208-733-0897)
Receive packaged materials for disposal in missile
silos.
-------
APPENDIX B
DONALD E. REED
CONSULTING GEOLOG
en
o
CO
r^
0)
to
ID
i
i^
(D
O
(D
(M
O
8 April 1976
_l
LJ
£
EC
O
z
LJ
UJ
o:
h
CO
Oi
o
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
J. F. K. Federal Building, Room 2113
Boston, Massachusetts 02203
Attention; Mr. Ira Leighton
Subject:
Gentlemen:
Ground Water Monitoring Wells
New Bedford Municipal Landfill
Nev Bedford. Massachusetts
This letter reports on the installation of four ground water
monitoring wells at the New Bedford Municipal Sanitary landfill
during the period 24 through 26 March 1976. The purpose of the
wells is to provide a means of sampling ground water adjacent to
the site 30 that tests could be performed for the presence of
polychlorinated biphenyls in the ground water. The work was
undertaken at the request of Mr. Ira Leighton and was performed
in accordance with your Order No. WB6990536A, dated 3 March 1976.
Ground Water Monitoring Wells
The monitoring wells were installed by the Test Borine Di-
vision of Clarence Welti Associates under a separate contract
with the Environmental Protection Agency. The installations were
under tne direct supervision of the writer. The contractor's
boring logs are enclosed with this report.
The wells were installed in the swamp, adjacent to the toe
of the slope of the eastern edge of the landfill. The approximate
locations are shown in red on the enclosed 500 scale
Transmission Co. aerial photograph, their drawing No
oneet 2 of 2.
^ov Tn i:n:jt?lled in drLve sample borings using BX (2 3/8-
inch I. D.) flush joint casing. The casing was driven and washed
out witn .resh water prior to obtaining each sample. Samples were
taken using a standard 2- inch O.D. split spoon sampler and were
transferred to specially treated sample jars immediately after
moval from the bore hole. These jars were provided by the Sur-
veillance and Analysis Section of the EPA.
-------
56
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency -2-
Attention: Mr. Ira Leighton 8 April 1976
The wells consisted of 3 to 3.5 foot long sections of
1 1/4-inch I.D. No. 10 PVC well screen (slot width .01 inch)
attached to a 1 1/4-inch I.D. PVC riser pipe extending from
1 1/2 to 2 feet above ground surface. Each well screen was en-
cased in a fine nylon stocking to inhibit silting and ensure
satisfactory operation of the well in the fine grained soils
encountered.
After installation of the well screen and riser, all of
the BX casing was withdrawn with the exception of the lower 5
foot section. This was left in the bore hole with the top of
the casing approximately 6 to 8 inches above groind surface.
Approximately 5 pounds of bentonite pellets were then rodded
down the outside of the casing to provide a water tight seal
between soil and casing and prevent surface water from seeping
down the side of the casing into the well.
Site Geology
The landfill site is located toward the southern end of a
large glacial lake deposit that extends from Apponagansett
Swamp to the northern limit of Acushnet Cedar Swamp. The inor-
ganic soils underlying the site, as revealed by the four borings
made for the well installations are typical glacial lake depos-
its and consist of a thin layer of silty fine sand at the top
underlain by stratified silts and clayey silts with thin layers
of silty clay. The inorganic soils are capped with a layer of
fresh water peat varying from 7 to 10 feet thick at the location
of the borings.
The total thickness of the deposits, inorganic and organic,
at the location of monitoring well OW1 is 42 feet. Since the
glacial lake at the site,formed in a shallow glacial till basin,
it is probable that the maximum thickness anywhere within the
lake deposit is not much greater than this.
Ground Water Flow
All of the virgin soils underlying the landfill have rela-
tively low permeabilities. It is estimated from past experience
that the silts and peat at the site have permeabilities in the
order of 1 x 10~° ft./min. or less. The only soil that ie mod-
erately permeable is the thin stratum of interbedded silty fine
sand and sandy silt at the top of the lake deposits, just beneath
the peat. This stratum is approximately 4 to 6 feet thick.
-------
57
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Attention: Mr. Ira Leighton 8 April 1976
A number of field permeability tests wurc performed in
this layer during installation of the wella. Prom these tests
and from data on grain size and relative density (determined
from estimated grain size and blow counts from the standard
penetration test) the permeability of the stratified silty fine
sand and sandy silt layer has been estimated to be about
1 x 10~4 ft./min.
The ground water gradient in the area is extremely flat
and no measurements of the gradient were made during this study.
An estimate may be made, however, by calculating the gradient
of a surface flow path in the swamp from the U.S.G.S. topographic
quadrangle map of the area (New Bedford North). The gradient
determined by this method is approximately 0.001.
Utilizing this gradient, a permeability of 10"4 ft./min.
and an estimated porosity of 40 percent, we can calculate the
velocity of flow of ground water away from the landfill. This
calculation yields-a flow velocity of about 0.1 ft./year. It
must be stressed that all of the quantities that have entered
into this calculation have been estimated. A change in the
permeability and the gradient of one order of magnitude each
could change this velocity value by a factor of 100, increasing
it to 10 ft./year. This is still a very low rate of flow, how-
ever, and it indicates that ground water flow and, therefore,
potential leachate flow (in the ground water) is extremely slow.
Probable Leachate Flow
The seepage of leachate into the underlying ground water
at this site is believed to be significantly reduced by the oc-
currence of the relatively impervious peat layer under the land-
fill. Peat is relatively impervious in its natural state, but
when compacted it becomes even more impermeable.
Significant leachate could percolate thru the fill if
there were breaks and gaps in the peat membrane, but the history
of filling at this site lessens this possibility.
The site began as an open dump in 1926 and continued as
such into the summer of 1971. At this time the dump was con-
verted into a sanitary landfill. Often the filling of shallow
peat deposits with dense granul&a* materials, e.g., filling for
roadway or railroad embankments causes a total displacement of
-------
58
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency -4-
Attention: Mr. Ira Leighton 8 April 1976
the peat and the development of a so called "mud wave" in the
peat out in front of the fill. Filling with rubbish and other
comparatively light weight, solid wastes does not cause dis-
placement and thus the peat membrane remains intact. As the
fill height is increased, the peat continues to consolidate
and as it does it becomes increasingly more impervious.
Prom the foregoing, there is a strong possibility of the
existence of a more or less continuous, relatively impervious
peat membrane underlying the landfill at the New Bedford site.
This peat membrane would restrict the flow of leachate to the
surface of the peat with only minor flow into the underlying
ground water. This is only an hypothesis at this stage, how-
ever, and considerably more detailed soils and hydrogeological
investigations would be required to verify this as well as more
accurately define the velocity and direction of ground water
flow.
Thank you for inviting me to work with you on this
project. If you have questions or need additional information,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely yours,
Donald E. Reed
DER:o
Enclosures
-------
59
NEW BEDFORD MUNICIPAL LANDFILL
WATER QUALITY DATA FROM
GROUNDWATER MONITORING WELLS OW1-OV4
Location
OW1
Surface Leachate
Vicinity OW1
•
OW2
OW3
Surface Leachate
Vicinity OW3
Leachate Seep,
Toe of Slope
at OW3
OW4
Time Temp. °C
11:10 a.m. 18.5
11:15 22.0
1:45
2:05
14.8
11.5
Conductivity
(micromhos)
340
2020
1:10 p.m.
1:30
1:35
14.0
13.8
-
150
160
2700
2500
150
Note: Measurements made on 26 March 1976 using a Yellow
Springs Instrument Co. VSI Model 33 S-C-T Meter.
-------
60
CLARENCE WELTI ASSOC . INC
70 SVCAMOHE STREET
ASTOMBURV CONN OOO33
"
BORING LOG"
PROJ.
NEW BEDFORD LANDFILL
BEDFORD. VAC;*:-
EPA
BORING NO.
° W~
LINE & STA..
OFFSET
GR. ELEV._
STRATUM DESCRIPTION PER
BLOWS,
o
l. COL. A STRATA DEPTH
2. COL. B
__
3. HAMMER = I40f; FALL 30"
4. SAMPLER = _ O.D. SPLIT SPOON
5. GWT = GROUND WATER
BORING NO..
LINE & STA .
OFFSET
GR. ELEV._
BLOWS
STRATUM, DESCRIPTION PER
B
-
1 WELL POINT 14 •
3 '6" WELL SCREEN
*• SOFT BEDROCK
OR BOULDER
REFUSAL ON ROLLEI
WATER AT 2.0 @ 0
B A T F " ^/7 ^ i"Jfi
1
V
EEP
B IT 45
HRS. '
'
L
DRILL. € B : HOODIE
AND - 40 to 50%
SOME - JO to 40%
TRACE - 0 to 10%
-------
CLARENCE WELTI ASSOC . INC
1OO SYCAMORE STREET
CONN 00033
"BORING LOG"
W BEDFORD LANDFILL
CLIENT
BORING NO
LINE 4 STA
OFFSET
GR. ELEV _
BLOWS
A STRATUM DESCRIPTION PER_JL" B
BORING NO..
EPA
OW-3
LINE & STA.__
OFFSET____
GR. ELEV
BLOWS
A STRATUM DESCRIPTION PER—6" B
Q-7
|33-S
^iG
___
1
1 —
I
1
1
ORGANIC PEAT
•
C.R . r i Nt — S-AND ,
SOME SILT
G P . 5 I L T , T R .
CLAY
BOTTOM OF BORING
WATER AT 0.2 <5*
DATE: 3/25/76
DRILLER: MOOD i E
1 WELL POINT 13'
3'fc" WELL SCfttEN
1
1 _l
]
1
1. C
2. C
PUSH
6-6
7-7
R-12
1S-iq
«
17-0
) HRS.
DEEP
HI A STRATA DEPTH
n| R
7.^
/I3.0
17.0
ORGANIC PEAT
GR.F INE SAND,
SOME SILT
"
R • 5 I L 1 f 1 " •
— trtTH
BOTTOM OF BOR ING
WATER AT 1.2 @ 0
DATE: 3/25/76
DRILLER: MOOD IE
1 WELL POINT 11. £
3' WELL SCkLL-M
PUSH
6— Q
^=7
1?-1?
9MI^t'&
1S-29
17.0
HRS.
DEEP >
3. HAMMER = 1401; FALL 30"
4. SAMPLER = O.D. SPLIT SPOON
AND - 40 to 50%
SOME -I0to40%
TRACE - 0 to 10%
-------
62
CLARENCE WELT I ASSOC . INC
1OO SYCAMORE STREET
iSTONBURY CONN OOO33
'BORING LOG'
_PROJ.-
BEDFORD LANDFILL
.JEW BEDFORD.MASS.
CLIENT.
EPA
BORING NO..
QU-4
LINE & STA
OFFSET
GR.ELEV
BLOWS
A STRATUM DESCRIPTION PER_5T B
y.u
'I^.U
16.O
___
1
ORGANIC PEAT,
TR.WOOD
•
«
UK . M NL SAND &
S 1 LT , TR. CRS .
AND
GR. S JLT
BOT70H .OF BOR ING
WATER AT SURFACE
DATE: 3/26/76
DRILLER: MOOD 1 E
1 WELL POINT 14.'
3r6" WELL SCREE
PUSH
9_in
Q-10
IP-I^
l?_ip
in_ifl.
17-19
«
16.0
@0 MRS.
1 DEEP
N
1. COL. A STRATA DEPTH
2. COL. B .
3. HAMMER = 140f; FALL 30"
4. SAMPLER = O.D. SPLIT SPOON
5. GWT = GROUND WATER
BORING NO.
LIN
OF
GR.
A
E & STA
•SFT
ELEV
BLOWS
STRATUM DESCRIPTION PER B
•
*
AND - 40 to 50%
SOME - 10 to 40%
TR/.C-. o ro 10%
------- |