United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Questions and Answers for the
Safe Management of
PCBs in Caulking
Sidewalk caulk
Caulking along base of columns
Lefkowitz, D, www.pcbinschools.orq
1. What are Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs)?
PCBs are man-made chemicals that belong to
a family of chemicals known as chlorinated
hydrocarbons. PCBs were manufactured in the
U.S. from 1929 until 1979, when their
manufacture was banned due to concerns
about their persistence, bioaccumulation, and
potential for adverse effects on human health
and the environment. Because PCBs are
chemically stable with a high boiling point, and
non-flammable with excellent electrical
insulating properties, PCBs were used in
hundreds of industrial and commercial
applications including electrical, heat transfer
and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in
paints, plastics and rubber products (including
caulk) and in many other industrial applications.
2. Why are PCBs in caulk?
At one time caulk was manufactured to
contain PCBs because they imparted
flexibility. PCB-containing caulk was used as a
joint sealant in various architectural
applications, including around windows and
masonry expansion joints.
3. What are the health effects associated
with PCBs?
PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a vari-
ety of adverse health effects. PCBs have been
shown to cause cancer in animals, as well as a
number of other health effects in animals,
including on the immune system, reproductive
system, nervous system, and endocrine
system. However, what makes them of
particular concern is their ability to persist in the
environment and to bioaccumulate. Read more
information on the health effects of PCBs at the
following website: www.epa.gov/pcb.
4. Should I be concerned about PCBs in
caulk?
Exposure may occur when there is contact with
the caulk and any surrounding porous materials
into which the PCBs may have been released
(e.g., brick, concrete, wood). PCBs may also
be released into the soil from exterior caulk,
particularly as the caulk weathers, and there
may be potential exposure for individuals who
frequent adjacent play areas or gardens.
Caulk that is not intact and is peeling, brittle,
cracking or deteriorating visibly in some way
will have the highest potential for release of
PCBs. Caulk would generally be characterized
of lesser concern if it appears completely
visually intact to the observer and does not
have any signs of deterioration.
Foreground: Hamel, J. "PCBs in Common Building
Material," Woodard & Curran, 2008. Background: Kraft, D.
"PCBs in Caulk," EPA 2007 PCS National Meeting.
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Indoor air quality may also be affected by PCBs
from caulk to a limited extent. PCBs can slowly
vaporize from caulk and be inhaled, and caulk
dust particles can come into contact with
people in the building and enter the air handling
system, and move to other areas of the
building.
Steps should be taken to minimize long-term ex-
posures.
Kraft, D. "PCBs in Caulk," EPA 2007 PCB National Meeting.
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5. How do I know if I have PCBs in my
school or building's caulk?
If you believe that caulk in your school or
building was manufactured before 1978,
when PCBs were banned, you may wish to
have the caulk tested by a chemical analysis
laboratory. Contact your Regional EPA PCB
Coordinator to find a testing laboratory in your
area and to discuss the results and what they
mean.
6. How can I reduce risk to children or
occupants if my school or building
has RGB-containing caulk?
If PCBs are found in the caulk, avoid regular
touching of the caulk, clean it up properly and
safely, and make plans to remove the caulk.
The potential exposure to building occupants
will be lower if they avoid areas where caulk
may be present.
EPA is planning on evaluating potential
Practical short-term options - such as
isolating the caulk by taping, sealing, or
repainting - that could reduce potential
exposure.
In addition, when PCB-containing caulk is
removed and disposed of, it must be done
with care to avoid contamination of
surrounding materials, such as floors, wood,
bricks, mortar or soil.
7. What does my school or building
have to do if we find PCBs in our
caulk?
EPA recommends that owners and managers
of buildings where PCBs are found in the
caulk take steps to minimize exposure prior to
removal of the caulk.
8. Where can I go for additional
information?
Further information about PCBs and EPA
Regional points of contact can be found at
www.epa.gov/pcb or you may contact the
EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act Hotline
at 202-554-1404.
This brochure is intended solely for guidance
and should be used as an informal reference.
It does not replace or supplant the
requirements of the Toxic Substances Control
Act or the PCB regulations at 40 C.F.R. part
761, and it is not binding on the Agency or
individuals. Please refer to the regulations at
40 C.F.R. part 761 for specific requirements
relating to PCBs and PCB-containing
materials.
Kraft, D. "PCBs in Caulk," EPA 2007 PCB National Meeting.
Lefkowitz, D, www.pcbinschools.org, 2008.
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