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PCB Guidance Reinterpretation
Top Questions
Children"s Health
Protecting children’s health from environmental risks is fundamental to EPA’s mission. Caulk containing PCBs were used in building some schools from 1950 to 1978. The proposed reinterpretation will help to promote healthy school environments by reducing exposure to PCBs in schools.EPA is proposing a reinterpretation of its position regarding Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) contaminated building materials. The reinterpretation is specifically addressing the definitions of bulk product waste (e.g., PCB contaminated caulk or paint) and remediation waste (e.g., PCB contaminated masonry or concrete). This distinction is important as it determines the appropriate cleanup requirements and disposal options. The reinterpretation being proposed in this notice would allow building material (i.e., substrate) “coated or serviced” with PCB bulk product waste (e.g., caulk, paint, mastics, sealants) at the time of disposal to be managed as a PCB bulk product waste, even if the PCBs have migrated from the overlying bulk product waste into the substrate. The below diagram highlights these proposed changes to the definitions.
The reinterpretation will impact the highlighted segments of the following documents:
- Contractors Handling PCBs in Caulk During Renovation (PDF) (4pp, 488K)
- PCB Caulk Abatement Steps 1 – 3 (PDF) (12pp, 223.67K)
- Example Decision Flowchart for Classifying Suspect Building Materials (PDF) (1p, 29.02K)
- Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Site Revitalization Guidance Under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) (PDF) (87pp, 5.22MB)
To learn more about the proposed reinterpretation, see the Federal Register Notice – PCBs Bulk Product v. Remediation Waste – (February 29, 2012). The comment period closed on March 30, 2012.