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How Should PCBs Be Disposed?

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are a dangerous compound, and government agencies regulate their disposal. Capacitors may contain PCBs, as well as fluorescent light ballasts, transformers, X-ray equipment and vacuum pumps, according to the University of California at Santa Barbara. PCBs require special disposal methods, protective clothing and training for janitorial personnel, and only special sites can accept discarded PCBs.

  1. Forms of PCBs

    • PCBs are present in oils, although they may also be found in solid forms such as paints and insulators. PCBs and asbestos form a type of insulation known as galbestos. Monitor capacitors and other equipment for any leaks. According to the State University of New York, Geneseo, disposal staff must wear safety equipment including protective eyewear such as goggles or visors and gloves made from neoprene or nitrile.

    State Laws

    • State laws govern the disposal of PCBs. California has stringent environmental regulations. Very small concentrations of PCBs---less than 5 milligrams per liter---are not subject to regulation in California, according to the University of California at Santa Barbara. Any concentration higher than the state limit is hazardous waste and disposal regulations apply. Disposing of PCBs improperly is subject to legal consequences.

    Equipment Labels

    • Older equipment such as transformers and capacitors may not include PCB warning labels. For instance, according to the State University of New York at Geneseo, light ballasts made before 1998 may contain unlabeled PCBs, but disposal should still follow your state's PCB procedures. The federal government currently bans the manufacturing of PCBs under a 1979 law, according to New York University.

    PCB Storage

    • Secure storage is a requirement for PCB-containing compounds. Buckets provide initial storage for equipment containing PCB, according to the State University of New York at Geneseo. Disposal staff then transfers the PCBs to steel drums and records the transfer of each item. New York University requires PCB storage in steel drums that meet Department of Transportation standards, since the drums must travel to a remote disposal site.

    Disposal Prohibitions

    • Federal regulations prohibit some disposal methods. You may not open-burn PCBs or equipment that may contain PCBs, for instance. Waste processors with special equipment that can handle high temperatures may burn PCBs according to specific regulations. According to the Government Printing Office, you also cannot mix liquid PCBs into a solid material and burn the solid to evade disposal regulations. Disposal of PCBs into rivers, the ocean or other bodies of water is also prohibited unless the PCBs are present at concentrations below three parts per billion or the company has a specific PCB disposal permit, according to the Government Printing Office.

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