Disposal of Transformer Oil

Transformer oil may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a known environmental hazard. Though the U.S. government banned PCBs in 1979, you may come across older transformers with PCB-contaminated oil. If you're unsure of the oil's contents, you must contact an environmental services company and have them test a sample. If the oil tests negative for PCBs, you may dispose of it as any other petroleum-based oil. If it tests positive, you must have it removed by a licensed hazardous waste company.

Things You'll Need

• 100 ml plastic sample bottle
• Disposable plastic gloves
• Disposable plastic pipette
• Environmental services company

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Instructions

• 1

  Contact the environmental services company and arrange to have an oil sample tested for PCBs. While they can send a technician to obtain a sample, you can save money by preparing your own. The company will tell you how much oil they need for the test, usually a few milliliters.

• 2

  Don the disposable plastic gloves. Draw oil using the disposable plastic pipette and place the recommended sample size into the plastic sample bottle. Close the bottle and label its contents, including the date. Discard the pipette and plastic gloves in the trash. While they may have some PCBs on them, the amount will be very small and not a cause for concern. Wash your hands with soap and water.

• 3

  Contact the services company again to have them pick up the sample bottle. Testing usually takes three to five business days. If the oil tests positive for PCBs, arrange to have the environmental services company pick up the rest of the oil for disposal.

• 4

  Contact an oil disposal or recycling business to pick up your oil if it doesn't have PCBs. They will reprocess the oil or incinerate it according to state regulations. This costs less than having to dispose of PCB-contaminated oil.