From the Cornell University Law School's Legal Information Institute.

The technology for controlling polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in utility transformers and capacitors has changed significantly in recent years, as have the regulations governing disposal methods. This revision of a 1979 PCB disposal manual updates information on disposal and treatment options and offers guidance on developing a PCB management program.

Authorized by Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), the Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) was enacted by Congress as the national legislation on community safety. This law is designed to help local communities protect public health, safety, and the environment from chemical hazards.

How to best recycle or handle auto shredder residue (ASR) remains a subject of debate and a topic for research. (Recycling Today, 2012).

The leftovers from car shredders have been used to cover trash at landfills, but state officials now say the practice has health risks and should be stopped. Industry officials say fluff is safe. (Los Angeles Times, 2009).

This literature review contains a description and analysis of existing methods for management of PCBs in construction materials. Information on the strengths and limitations, efficacy, cost, and byproducts of each remediation method is presented, where available. The report is based upon a comprehensive review and synthesis of conference proceedings, and technical reports by government and commercial organizations.

Disposal Facilities by Technology Type; Disposal Facilities by Region; Approved Storage Facilities; Alternate Decontamination Approvals

Information on sources of PCBs and levels in school environments is needed to improve risk management decision-making. ORD’s NERL planned research to better understand and characterize PCB sources, emissions, environmental concentrations, and exposures in school environments. (U.S. EPA, 2012).

Representatives of electric and gas utilities, government agencies, research groups, and private industry from around the world met at this 1991 seminar to discuss and study numerous issues related to PCB. The seminar provided the industry with an important forum for the exchange of information concerning PCB management, disposal, replacement, and regulations. The PCB seminar, held in Baltimore October 8-11, 1991, was attended by 270 representatives of utilities, government, research groups, and private industry from around the world. Fifty-six papers, presented in 12 sessions, addressed regulations, spills, carcass disposal, retrofill and reclassification, risk, fires, analysis, problems specific to gas utilities, health effects, decontamination of oil, PCB destruction, and substitute fluids. Papers focused on research, training, commercial projects, and case studies involving new equipment and techniques for PCB management.

Includes links to articles about health impacts and cleanup strategies.

Environment Canada document from August 2000 summarizing regulations, practices, and background justification for regulating a number of PCB waste streams, as applied by U.S. EPA and the regional offices. Includes completed surveys from each EPA region.

Published by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. The purpose of this white paper is to 1) provide an overview of currently available information pertaining to PCBs in construction materials; 2) evaluate the exposure potential for building occupants, maintenance and construction personnel; and 3) identify gaps in the current knowledge base that would help occupational and environmental health professionals to better understand the risk to public health from PCBs in building materials.
AIHA's findings and recommendations will be updated as new information becomes available.