United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
Rainier Commons: Indoor PCB
sampling results are now available
Seattle, WA
March 2011
I
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
sampled indoor spaces at Rainier Commons to
see if there were levels of PCBs (polychlorinated
biphenyls) that could potentially be unhealthy.
• The sample results show that the PCB levels
in residential living and office spaces are of
limited concern. It is still a good idea to follow
the Washington Department of Health's
recommendations (attached) to minimize your
exposure to PCBs.
• The Building 6 stairwell has high levels of PCBs
in paint and dust which must be removed.
• We know from past sampling that much of the
paint on the outside of the building contains
PCBs over the regulatory limits. That paint will
be removed. In the meantime, you can reduce
the possibility of tracking PCB dust into your
home or office by wiping your shoes off on a
door mat or removing them before entering.
Regular vacuuming also will reduce PCBs
tracked inside the building.
Sampling Results
High levels of PCBs are in the paint on the outside
of the Rainier Commons buildings. From June
through September 2010, EPA sampled for PCBs
inside the building. Paint, air and dust were sampled.
Paint was sampled because it could be the source of
PCBs. Air and dust were sampled, since people are
likely to be exposed to them and they could contain
PCBs from the paint.
Air: The air results from inside the build
showed no threats to human health because no
PCBs or barely detectable levels of PCBs
were found.
Paint: Paint with PCBs above regulatory limits
was found in some areas. Rainier Commons LLC
conducted more sampling under EPA guidance.
Rainier Commons LLC will develop a plan to
remove the paint once the new sampling results are
available. EPA will review and approve the plan and
share it with building tenants.
Dust: Dust results showed low levels of PCBs, and
it would be difficult for people to breathe or touch
enough dust at Rainier Commons to cause health
problems. Dust samples in homes and offices at
Rainier Commons range from 1.4 to 15.6 parts per
million (ppm). EPA looked at health guidelines
and specific conditions at Rainier Commons when
considering these results.
• PCB levels found in dust are close to the EPA
guidelines to protect adults and slightly above the
guidelines for children. EPA Region 10 guidelines
for PCBs in dust are 10 ppm for adults and
1 ppm for children. EPA believes these guidelines
are health protective with an ample margin of
safety. The adult guideline assumes a person
would live in the same space all year for 30 years.
The child guideline assumes a child would live
in the same space all year long for six years. PCB
levels slightly above the guidelines are not likely
to cause health problems.
• PCBs are found in almost all indoor and outdoor
environments. Typical background levels of PCBs
of 0.25 ppm to 2 ppm are seen in studies of house
A had to vacuum large areas to obtain enough
dust to analyze. It would be difficult for either
adults or children to come into contact with
enough dust to cause health problems.
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Indoor PCB sampling results are now available
Dust sample results
Rainier Commons homes
and offices
1.4-15.6 ppmPCBs
Typical background levels in
other indoor locations
0.25-2ppmPCBs
EPA protective guidelines
10 ppm PCBs adult,30 yr exposure
1 ppm PCBs child,6yr exposure
What happens next?
Building 6 Stairwell
The Building 6 stairwell used to be on the outside
of the building and was enclosed as part of the
redevelopment of Rainier Commons. The paint in
this stairwell is similar to that on other parts of the
outside of Rainier Commons and the dust contains
high levels of PCBs (476 ppm).
Rainier Commons LLC has posted signs on the
stairwell doors requesting that tenants do not use
it. The stairwell paint will be removed and the
stairwell will be vacuumed to remove dust.
Homes and Offices:
• Dust: Avoid tracking outside contamination
inside by removing shoes or wiping shoes before
entering homes. Regular vacuuming and wet
mopping also will help reduce PCBs in dust.
These practices are particularly important in
spaces where children live.
• Paint: Two spaces were found with paint
above the regulatory limit. Additional sampling
by Rainier Commons LLC will be helpful in
determining how best to deal with that paint.
As long as the paint is not flaking or peeling, the
PCBs in the paint are unlikely to be a health threat.
Storage areas
Dust in storage/warehouse areas in Building 14
were measured at 16.1 and 36 ppm PCBs. The dust
sample from Building 15 contained 3.4 ppm PCBs.
It is likely that the dust in Building 14 is the result
of tracked in dust from flaking paint outside the
building. Vacuuming probably will reduce the
PCB levels.
Outside paint
Rainier Commons LLC is developing plans for
addressing PCBs in paint above the regulatory
limits — both inside and outside the buildings.
Dealing with the inside of the building (Building 6
stairwell) is the first priority. Until a final solution
to the issue of PCBs in building exterior paint is
in place, Rainier Commons LLC has arranged for
regular cleaning of flaked paint chips outside the
building, which will help minimize the potential to
track additional PCBs in to the building interior
and living spaces.
For More Information...
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Renee Dagseth, EPA at 206-553-1889 or
dagseth.renee@epa.gov
Tristen Gardner, EPA at 206-553-6240
gardner.tristen@epa.gov
Printed on 100% recycled paper
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Environmental contaminants
PCBs
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$ Health
DOH 334-231 May 2010
Environmental contaminants can affect any community. They are chemicals found in the environment in amounts higher
than what would be there naturally. They come from industrial or commercial sources and can be in the things that people
are in contact with everyday like soil, water, and air.
Polychlorinated biphenyls — PCBs
PCBs are a mixture of several man-made organic chemicals. They were often used in electrical transformers, plasticizers,
paint additives, adhesives, inks and carbonless paper, lubricants, and hydraulic fluids. PCBs were banned in 1977 because
evidence showed that they could build up in the environment and may harm human health.
Small amounts of PCBs can be found in almost all outdoor and indoor air, soil, sediments, surface water, and animals.
They build up in the food chain and are stored in fat tissue. The major dietary source of PCBs for people is fish, but PCBs
are also found in meat and dairy products.
Exposure to contaminants
Direct exposure to contaminants can occur by eating, breathing in, or contact with the skin. Potential health effects from
contaminant exposure depend on several things:
• The type of contaminant (examples: PCBs, dioxin, lead, arsenic.).
• How long a person is exposed to the contaminant.
• How much of the contaminant a person is exposed to.
• How a person is exposed to the contaminant (breathing in, eating, or skin contact).
• Site conditions where the contaminant is found and how people use that site (example: surface sediment in a
recreational area compared to sediments under water, or covered by pavement).
• A person's size and current health condition may influence the potential health effect from contaminant exposure.
Minimize your exposure
It's a good idea to avoid or reduce your exposure to contaminants. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
your risk of exposure:
• Clean frequently to reduce dust and residue inside buildings.
• Use a wet or damp cloth or mop to clean surfaces.
• Use vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
• Do not sweep with dry brooms; avoid using dusters.
• Wash children's hands with soap and water often, particularly
before eating.
• Wash children's toys often.
• Wash hands with soap and water after cleaning, and before eating
or drinking.
• Remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking soil into your house
Have additional health questions? Contact Washington State Department of Health, toll-free 1-877-485-7316.
This document is available in other formats for people with disabilities. To make a request, call 1-800-525-0127 or 1-800-833-6388 (TTY/TDD).
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Rainier Commons
Availability Sessions
Tuesday, March 8, 4 - 7 p.m.
Rainier Commons
Urban Storage Building
Room 1006
3100 Airport Way S. - Seattle
Meet with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency,
the Washington Department of Health, and Rainier Commons LLC.
This is an informal opportunity to discuss the results of PCB sampling.
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