Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) waste
Guidance on how to identify, handle, store and dispose of PCB-contaminated materials on the St. George campus.
Overview
Handling polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated waste materials requires special consideration, as many provincial and federal environmental requirements apply.
To comply with environmental regulations, all PCB-contaminated materials must be disposed of through the Environmental Protection Services team.
They can also help identify PCB-contaminated materials and advise on handling, storage and disposal options.
For help with PCB-contaminated materials, please contact the Environmental Protection Services team by phone at 416-978-7000 or email eps.hazdisposal@utoronto.ca.
What is a PCB waste?
A PCB material is legally defined as any monochlorinated or polychlorinated biphenyl or any mixture that contains one or more of them. This includes equipment, solids (including empty containers) and contaminated liquids.
Special handling and storage requirements apply to any waste material with a concentration greater than 50 ppm of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The handling of PCB wastes is subject to Ontario Regulation 362 – PCB Waste Management under the Environmental Protection Act of Ontario (RSO 1990). If the PCB waste cannot be decontaminated, it must be stored in a registered PCB site on the generator’s property. The required environmental precautions vary due to the type of storage and type of PCB material being stored.
Sources of PCB waste
Of all PCBs used in Canada, Environment Canada estimates that the educational sector accounts for 4%.
It’s important to be able to identify the potential sources of these contaminated materials that may likely be encountered at the university. Historically, the major source of PCB waste at the university is when PCB-contaminated equipment has been removed from service or decommissioned.
Should you suspect you have any PCB-contaminated equipment or material, please contact Environmental Protection Services. The team will test to determine whether PCBs are present. There is no charge for this test.
Laboratory and operational sources
PCBs were used in a variety of applications including additives in lubricants, heat transfer dielectric fluids, adhesives etc. All these uses were banned in Canada in 1977. Hydraulic equipment, oil-filled electromagnets, circuit breakers, voltage regulators, cables and vacuum pumps may contain PCB liquid.
The age of the equipment is a good indicator of potential PCB contamination. Equipment manufactured prior to 1980, is likely to have used PCB-contaminated fluids. Special attention should be paid to diffusion pumps and vacuum pumps. In the past, the university has produced these pumps that were contaminated with PCBs.
Older equipment suspected of containing PCB materials being removed from laboratories for scrap or decommissioning must be carefully screened for PCBs.
PCBs were sold in North America under the trade name AROCLOR. They were defined by a 4-digit code of which the last 2 digits represent the % by weight of the chlorine content. For example, an Aroclor containing 60% PCB would be designated Arocolor 1260.
Contaminated laboratory samples may also be produced from calibration samples. If a laboratory sample is labelled as PCB, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorinated biphenyl or Aroclor samples, the sample should be suspect as containing PCBs.
Any empty containers suspected of previously containing PCBs should be considered as PCB-contaminated waste material.
Transformers
Since the 1930’s, a generic fluid called “askarel” containing 40-70% PCBs was used in high voltage transformers. Commercial Aroclors were blended with trichlorobenzene. Askarel is the genetic term used to identify the combination of Aroclor and trichlorobenzene. A typical Askarel transformer may contain 30-40% PCBs and as high as 65%. Contaminated mineral oil usually contains < 1% PCBs.
PCB-contaminated transformers can usually be distinguished by the nameplate on the transformer located on the outside casing. If the brand names in the table below appear on the nameplate, the transformer contains PCBs.
The ‘type number’ also indicates if the transformer contains PCBs. Any type number beginning with ‘L’ indicates that the transformer is PCB-contaminated. Some type numbers are: LFAF, LFAN, LFWN, LNAF, LNP, LNS, LNW and LNWN.
Capacitors
Almost every capacitor manufactured between 1930 and 1980 contains PCB dielectric liquids. Capacitors in electrical equipment vary in sizes from ice cubes to larger than refrigerators. Capacitors are classified as large when they contain > 0.5 kg of PCBs. Small capacitors are generally associated with electronic or lighting equipment. Fluorescent light ballasts also contain capacitors. Light ballasts are discussed below.
Capacitors may be found in a variety of locations within a building for example connected to A.C. motors > 30 hp wired to the electrical terminals. A capacitor often can be recognized by the letters KVAR stamped on its nameplate. Capacitors may vary in size from 5 KVAR to 200 KVAR range. Capacitors are hermetically sealed to reduce leakage. Unless clearly indicated on the equipment, or the date of purchase can be confirmed to be after 1980, most capacitors in use must be assumed to be contaminated with PCBs unless tests have verified their absence.
Ballasts
Fluorescent light fixtures may contain several ballasts. Fluorescent lighting ballasts are easily identifiable containing PCBs or non-PCB. The small capacitors inside the ballasts are contaminated with high levels of PCB liquid if they were manufactured prior to 1980. At the university over the years, these ballasts have been used from a wide variety of manufacturers. Environmental Protection Services maintains a list of models from various manufacturers that are PCB-contaminated.
Requesting analysis
Unless suspect equipment or laboratory sample has been verified as being PCB-free through an accredited laboratory, it is advisable that a sample be sent for analysis to determine the extent of PCB contamination or to verify the absence of PCBs. Contact Environmental Protection Services to arrange for an analysis.
Emergency response
In the event of a spill or fire involving PCBs, procedures have been developed to deal with spills and fires. These procedures should be made readily available in the area containing PCBs. Environmental Protection Services can be consulted regarding specific spill response procedures in individual areas.
Disposal of PCB waste
Wastes that are contaminated with PCBs greater than 50 ppm require special destruction. These materials require special handling, storage and notification to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks prior to being removed from a generating site for disposal. Currently disposal of PCB wastes is limited in the number of facilities able to destroy these wastes. The exportation of PCB wastes outside of the country is prohibited. The destruction of high-level wastes is limited to a single facility in Canada. Low-level wastes can be treated on the generator’s site using a chemical destruction process. All disposal of PCB wastes is coordinated through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. If any waste materials that are being disposed, the Manager, Environmental Protection should be notified. This includes all sources of wastes, from laboratories, building renovations and operations.
Transport of PCB waste
Transport of PCB waste across or along public streets must have prior approval from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Long-term storage (>90 days) of PCB waste
All wastes contaminated with > 50 ppm PCBs are classified as PCB waste and must be appropriately stored. The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks issues operating conditions for all PCB waste stored for more than 90 days. PCB wastes are subject to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and Environment Canada guidelines.
The university, as required by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, has decommissioned its registered PCB waste storage site located at the Institute for Aerospace Studies in August 2004; therefore, no PCB waste will be stored longer than 90 days. Contact the manager, Environmental Protection to arrange for disposal.