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PCBs: To Test or
Not to Test?
Triumvirate Environmental’ s
Meet Your Moderator:
Sasha Laferte
1.All lines are muted, use the chat panel for tech
issues.
2.Ask questions using questions panel
3.Unanswered questions will be answered via
email after the webinar
4.Webinar recording and slides will be emailed to
you tomorrow morning.
Share With the Audience
Meet Your PresenterCraig Sasse has been employed at
Triumvirate for over 6 years and has worked
as an environment consultant for over 18
years. He currently specializes in performing
environmental consulting and engineering
services to assess, manage and mitigate
environmental liability. He has worked as a
consultant on numerous PCB-related
projects for organizations and institutions up
and down the east coast.
Building materials,
particularly caulking,
may contain PCBs.
The EPA, under TSCA,
considers PCB-
contaminated building
materials and
“unauthorized use” and
is subject to regulation.
Although testing of building
materials is not required, finding
PCB contamination and conducting
required remediation can
significantly alter projects.
Background1930s
Negative health impact documented
1950s
Widely manufactured and used in industry
Discover that PCBs may affect skin, liver, immune
system and mire
1976
TSCA enacted
Why PCBs Were Used in
Building Material:
Stability
Fire resistance
Durability
Materials Found
to Contain PCBs
Transformers
Caulk
Adhesives
Light Ballasts
Paint
Window Glazing
PCBs Spread
Migration
Volatilization
Impact of Finding PCBs
Public school buildings where
PCB contamination is found
has been widely publicized.
The health risks from PCBs to
children has prompted the EPA
to prioritized PCB management
in schools.
The private sector undergoes
far less scrutiny and publicity
but still has to manage the
same underlying issues.
Examples:
NY Public School
Sampling prompted by concerned citizens first identified
contamination in caulking.
Hundreds of building with the potential for PCBs to be present
Working with the EPA, Management continues with ballast
removal anticipated to be completed by the end of 2016
Lexington Public School
Contamination discovered in the air
Sampling identified many materials and surfaces with PCBs
Due to health concerns and costs a new school building was constructed in 2014 and the old building demolished.
Changing PCB Landscape
2012: EPA Provides TSCA Reinterpretation
“Remediation Waste” to “PCB Bulk Product”
Accelerated Clean Ups
Competing
Interests
Owner/ManagerConstruction
IndustryConsultants
Regulators Attorneys
Pre-Construction
Assessment Approaches
Sample All Suspect Materials
Assume Contamination
Ignore the Possible Dangers
A key first step is to get
educated about the issue.
Find a knowledgeable
person to assist with your
organization and develop a
tailored strategy for
management.
Steps to TakeDiscovering the best course of action for your organization
Inventory Suspect Buildings
Are your buildings of the PCB pedigree?
When were they constructed or
renovated?
Do you have potential PCB
containing equipment at your
buildings.?
Best Practices for Staff
Know who may be working near these
materials
Custodians may need to adjust
cleaning techniques - use HEPA vacuums
and damp wiping.
Pre-Construction
Reviews
Will work disturb suspect material?
Know the consequences if
sample results come back positive
Include stipulations in the bid
PCBs: Community
School System
Case Study
PCB identified by others in caulking for
more than 50 buildings
Negotiated with EPA to prioritize efforts to
assess
Comprehensive inventory and prioritization
Focus efforts to reduce exposures by
abatement, encapsulation and
BMPs
QUESTIONS?
Thank You For Attending!
You Will Receive:
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presentation
• A special offer
• A Q&A transcript