United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA530-R-08-001 February 2008 National Priority Chemicals Trends Report (2001-2005) Section 4 Chemical Specific Trends Analyses for Priority Chemicals (2001-2005): Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Hazardous Waste Minimization and Management Division Office of Solid Waste U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contact Information: Bill Kline, Senior Data Analyst Analysis & Information Branch (540) 341-3631 kline.bill@epa.gov Tammie Owen, Data Analyst Analysis & Information Branch (703) 308-4044 owen.tammie@epa.gov Ben Lesser, Chief Analysis & Information Branch (703) 308-0314 lesser.ben@epa.gov ------- Poly chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Chemical Information: Alternate Names - Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1254 General Uses - PCBs are mixtures of chemicals that form clear to yellow, oily liquids or white, crystalline (sand-like) solids and hard resins. PCBs are used in insulating fluids of electrical systems. PCBs can also be a byproduct of certain process chemical reactions. How Much Poly chlorinated Biphenyls Was Generated? Exhibit 4.157. National Generation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (2001-2005) TRI Reporting Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Total Quantity of PCBs (pounds) 55,665 104,806 54,426 67,758 143,591 Number of TRI Facilities Reporting PCBs 52 44 46 36 41 For 2005, 41 facilities reported approximately 144,000 pounds of PCBs, representing an increase of approximately 88,000 pounds, or 158 percent, compared to the total quantity of PCBs reported for 2001 (Exhibit 4.157). Although the number of facilities has decreased by approximately 21 percent since 2001, the quantity of PCBs increased significantly in 2005. Exhibit 4.158. Distribution of Quantities for Facilities Reporting Polychlorinated Biphenyls (2005) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (143,591 pounds) Quantity Reported Number of Facilities Reporting This Quantity (2005) Percent of Total Quantity of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (2005) up to 10 pounds 5 < 0.1% Between 11 -100 pounds 16 0.5% Between 101 -1,000 pounds 10 2.5% Between 1,001 - 10,000 pounds 7 20.0% Between 10,001 - 100,000 pounds 3 77.1% Between 100,001 - 1 million pounds 0 0.0% > 1 million pounds 0 0.0% Three of the 41 facilities reported approximately 77 percent of the total quantity of PCBs; 10 facilities reported approximately 97 percent of the total (Exhibit 4.158). 4-113 ------- Where Were Polvchlorinated Biphenyls Generated? Exhibit 4.159. Location of Facilities that Reported Polvchlorinated Biphenyls (2005) THE UNITED STATES (§) Facilities Reporting Polychlorinated Biphenyls (2005) Office of Solid Waste - Fall 2007 Analysis and Information Branch For 2005, 41 facilities in 20 states reported PCBs (Exhibit 4.159). Exhibit 4.160. Quantity of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, by EPA Region and State, for Facilities Reporting EPA Region State 2001 (pounds) 2002 (pounds) 2003 (pounds) 2004 (pounds) 2005 (pounds) Percent of Total National Quantity of PCBs (2005) 9 CA 6,174 38,856 5,957 558 48,982 34.1 % 4 TN 20,583 32,096 23,901 43,225 48,454 33.7% 6 LA 15,203 16,620 13,881 22,059 29,787 20.7% 4 AL 231 20 1 0 9,004 6.3% 4 MS 0 1 4,704 0 2,105 1.5% 2 NJ 21 24 45 47 1,812 1.3% 6 TX 881 1,251 2,164 903 1,590 1.1% Total 43,094 88,868 50,653 66,792 141,734 98.7% Except in 2002, EPA Region 4 facilities reported the largest quantities of PCBs since 2001, including approximately 42 percent of the total quantity for 2005 (Exhibit 4.160). Some highlights concerning trends for the reported quantity of PCBs in states include: 4-114 ------- • In California, facilities reported approximately 34 percent of the total quantity for 2005. Since 2001, one facility reported virtually 100 percent of the PCBs. This facility is actively promoting retirement of their transformers. The fluctuation in PCB quantity was a function of the number and size of transformers incinerated in a reporting year. • In Tennessee, since 2001 one facility reported approximately an average of 94 percent of the total quantity of PCBs in this state. This facility generates PCBs as a residual from a high temperature catalytic process. The quantity of PCBs generated correlates to production quantity. • In Alabama, a facility reporting PCBs for the first time for 2005, reported 100 percent of the total quantity in the state. This facility is revamping its main electrical power grid for which numerous transformers were installed which contained PCB liquids. The facility plans to eventually remove all the PCB liquids and replace them with non-PCB liquids. The facility has many more transformers that it hopes to convert to non-PCB in future years. • In Mississippi, a facility is getting rid of old transformers that contain PCBs. This facility reported 100 percent of the PCBs in the state. • In New Jersey, a facility reporting PCBs for the first time in 2005, reported 98 percent of the total quantity in the state. Exhibit 4.161. Quantity of Polychlorinated biphenyls, by State and County, for Facilities Reporting 99 Percent of the Total Quantity (2005) State County Quantity (pounds) of PCBs Percent of Total National Quantity of PCBs (2005) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 CA Contra Costa 6,130 38,856 5,955 558 48,961 34.1% TN Maury 18,848 30,314 22,012 41,263 45,843 31.9% LA Ascension 8,585 6,228 972 4,486 15,845 11.0% AL Colbert 0 0 0 0 9,004 6.3% LA Iberville 0 2,307 5,411 7,597 6,585 4.6% LA Calcasieu 5,912 6,446 5,768 8,734 6,350 4.4% MS Jackson 0 1 4,704 2,105 1.5% TN Madison 1,676 1,711 1,837 1,922 2,011 1.4% NJ Passaic 0 0 0 0 1,771 1.2% LA St John The Baptist 706 1,639 1,730 1,188 1,007 0.7% TX Harris 345 532 660 546 817 0.6% VA Petersburq City 0 0 179 222 505 0.4% TN Smith 0 0 0 0 500 0.3% SC Berkeley 0 0 0 98 490 0.3% TX Brazoria 326 317 1,047 150 470 0.3% Exhibit 4.161 shows the quantity of PCBs for 2001-2005, by state and county, reported by facilities that accounted for 99 percent of the total quantity of PCBs in 2005. Three facilities, one each in Contra Costa County, California, Maury County, Tennessee, and Ascension County, Louisiana reported 77 percent of the total quantity of PCBs for 2005. 4-115 ------- Which Industries Generated Poly chlorinated Biphenyls? Exhibit 4.162. Industry Sectors Quantities of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (2001-2005) Primary SIC Code SIC Description Number of facilities Reporting PCBs in This SIC Code (2005) Quantity (pounds) of PCBs Percent of Total National Quantity of PCBs (2005) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2869 Industrial organic chemicals, nec 9 19,250 33,438 28,158 49,794 54,020 37.6% 3316 Cold finishing of steel shapes 1 6,130 38,856 5,955 558 48,961 34.1% 2812 Alkalies and chlorine 3 15,262 13,173 8,214 13,266 22,444 15.6% 3353 Aluminum sheet, plate, and foil 1 26 13 0 0 9,004 6.3% 3312 Blast furnaces and steel mills 3 3,495 4,773 5,497 3,121 3,047 2.1% 2874 Phosphatic fertilizers 1 0 1 4,704 0 2,105 1.5% 3357 Nonferrous wire drawing and insulating 1 0 0 0 0 1,771 1.2% Total 19 44,163 90,254 52,528 66,739 141,352 98.4% For 2005, facilities in 23 industry sectors (SIC codes) reported PCBs. Exhibit 4.162 shows the quantity of PCBs for the industry sectors in which facilities reported 98 percent of this PC. Some highlights concerning trends for the reported quantity of PCBs in industry sectors include: 4-116 ------- SIC 2869 (Industrial organic chemicals, nec) • A facility in Tennessee reported approximately an average of 87 percent of the total quantity of PCBs in this industry sector since 2001. This facility generates PCBs as a residual from a high temperature catalytic process. The quantity of PCBs generated correlates to production quantity. SIC 3316 (Cold finishing of steel shapes) • Since 2001, one facility, located in California, reported 100 percent of the PCBs in this industry sector. This facility is actively promoting the retirement of their transformers. The fluctuation in PCB quantity was a function of the number and size of transformers incinerated in a reporting year. SIC 2812 (Alkalies and chlorine) • Two facilities, both located in Louisiana, reported approximately 99 percent of the total quantity in this industry sector since 2001. SIC 3353 (Aluminum sheet, plate, and foil) • For 2005, one facility, located in Alabama, reporting PCBs for the first time, reported 100 percent of the total quantity by this industry. This facility is revamping its main electrical power grid for which numerous transformers were installed which contained PCB liquids. The facility plans to eventually remove all the PCB liquids and replace them with non-PCB liquids. The facility has many more transformers that it hopes to convert to non-PCB in future years. SIC 2874 (Phosphatic fertilizers) • One facility, located in Mississippi, reported 100 percent of the quantity in each year. SIC 3357 (Nonferrous wire drawing and insulating) • One facility, located in New Jersey, reporting PCBs for the first time, reported 100 percent of the total quantity by this industry for 2005. 4-117 ------- How Did Facilities Manage Poly chlorinated Biphenyls? Exhibit 4.163. Trends in Management Metho( Management Method for Polychlorinated Biphenyls 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Disposal Quantity (pounds) 10,229 6,495 6,276 3,710 3,760 Energy Recovery Quantity (pounds) 344 650 40 25 2,129 Treatment Quantity (pounds) 45,092 97,661 48,110 64,023 137,702 Recycled (pounds)2" 379 14 466 366 273 s for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (2001-2005) Exhibit 4.163 shows the national trends for how facilities managed PCBs in 2001-2005. Disposal: In 2001, facilities disposed of approximately 18 percent of the PCBs. A facility in New York reported 5,200 pounds or approximately 51 percent of the total quantity of PCBs disposed of. This facility did not report PCBs for 2002-2005. In 2005, approximately 3 percent of PCBs were disposed of. Energy Recovery: Since 2001, a relatively small quantity of PCBs were managed using energy recovery. A facility in Mississippi reported virtually 100 percent of the quantity for 2005. Treatment: Since 2001, facilities treated approximately an average of 91 percent of the total quantity of PCBs. Since 2001, a facility in Tennessee reported approximately an average of 43 percent of the total treatment quantity. For 2005, a facility in California reported an increase of approximately 48,400 pounds treated or 36 percent of the total treatment quantity. Recycling: Since 2001, facilities recycled relatively small quantities of PCBs. 28 For additional information on recycled quantities see footnote 8. 4-118 ------- Exhibit 4. 64. Management Methods for Polychlorinated I liphenyls in Industry Sectors, for Facilities Reporting 98 Percent of the Total Quantity in 2005 Primary SIC Code SIC Code Description Onsite Disposal (pounds) Offsite Disposal (pounds) Onsite Energy Recovery (pounds) Offsite Energy Recovery (pounds) Onsite Treatment (pounds) Offsite T reatment (pounds) Onsite Recycling (pounds) Offsite Recycling (pounds) 2869 Industrial organic chemicals, nec 0 152 0 0 7,131 46,737 250 0 3316 Cold finishing of steel shapes 0 0 0 0 0 48,961 0 0 2812 Alkalies and chlorine 0 0 0 0 22,013 432 0 0 3353 Aluminum sheet, plate, and foil 0 0 0 0 0 9,004 0 0 3312 Blast furnaces and steel mills 2,011 1,036 0 0 0 0 0 0 2874 Phosphatic fertilizers 0 0 0 2,105 0 0 0 0 3357 Nonferrous wire drawing and insulating 0 0 0 0 0 1,771 0 0 Exhibit 4.164 shows how facilities, for the seven industry sectors in which facilities reported 98 percent of the total quantity for 2005, managed PCBs. Facilities in five of the seven industry sectors primarily treated PCBs, mostly offsite. The facility in SIC 2874 (Phosphatic fertilizers) managed PCBs using offsite energy recovery. Facilities in SIC 3312 (Blast Furnaces and steel mills) used both onsite and offsite disposal. 4-119 ------- |