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New York City Transit Environmental Conference 2006

New York City Transit Environmental Conference 2006. PCBs in Caulk – An Unrecognized Source By Tom Gibbons, CHMM. Introduction. Background on PCBs What are PCBs? What are the Historic Uses? What are the Health Risks? Harvard Study on PCBs in Caulk Findings & Developments in US

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New York City Transit Environmental Conference 2006

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  1. New York City TransitEnvironmental Conference 2006 PCBs in Caulk – An Unrecognized Source By Tom Gibbons, CHMM

  2. Introduction • Background on PCBs • What are PCBs? • What are the Historic Uses? • What are the Health Risks? • Harvard Study on PCBs in Caulk • Findings & Developments in US • Findings & Developments in Europe • Regulatory Agency / Industry Responses

  3. Mixtures of Synthetic Organic Chemicals with Similar Structures and Properties Chlorine + Biphenyl + Heat = PCBs What are PCBs? Molecular Structure =

  4. What are PCBs? • Properties of PCBs • Non-Flammable • Chemically Stable • High Boiling Point • Electrically Insulating

  5. Historical Uses of PCBs • Electrical Equipment • Heat Transfer Equipment • Hydraulic Equipment • Plasticizers • Caulks and Plastics • Rubber Products • Pigments, Dyes and Paints • 1.5 Billion Pounds / 1977

  6. Health Effects of PCBs • Causes Cancer in Animals • Probable Human Carcinogen • Liver Cancer / Melanoma • Suppresses the Immune System • Reproductive System • Reduces Birth Weight and Conception Rate • Suppresses Neurological Development • Disrupts the Endocrine System – Retards Growth

  7. Harvard School of Public Health • July 2004 – HSPH Press Release • 24 Buildings Tested • 1/3 or 8 of 24 Exceeded 50 ppm PCB • Up to 50,000 ppm PCB • Caulk Unrecognized and Widespread Source of PCBs • Recommends Routine Testing of Caulk

  8. Recent Studies & Findings • California – 1995 • Local Watershed Contaminated • Sediments in Creek 500 ppm PCB • Dunsmuir Reservoir Caulk 15%-20% PCB

  9. Recent Studies & Findings • University of Rhode Island – 2000 • PCBs in Soil Traced to Building Caulk • PCBs in Caulk 600x above EPA Limit • EPA Mandated Clean-up Program • Over 1-year and $3M to Clean-up

  10. Recent Studies & Findings • Westchester County Schools – 2005 • French Hill School – Soil > 1ppm PCB • EPA Mandated $300K Clean-up of Soil and Window Caulk • News Channel 4 PCB Report May 22, 2006

  11. Recent Studies & Findings • 2-year Study – Confidential Client - 2005 • 291 Facilities • PCBs found in Caulk at 40% of facilities • 10% over 50 ppm

  12. Recent Studies & Findings • Montana – 2005 • Fish Contaminated with PCB • Bozeman Hatchery Caulk with PCBs

  13. Recent Studies & Findings • Colorado – 2005 • Marston Water Treatment Plant – PCB in Caulk • Caulk Removed but Underlying Concrete Contaminated - 1000 ppm PCB

  14. European Studies • Finland • Established Link to Elevated Levels of PCB in Worker’s Blood • Removal of ALL PCB Caulk Mandated • Germany • Established Link to Elevated Air Born Concentrations • Established Link to Elevated Levels of PCB in Teacher’s Blood • Sweden • Preparing Requirements to Abate PCB-containing Caulk

  15. Federal Response • EPA Region 2 – November 3, 2005 Letter • “Testing of caulk may be advisable . . .” • “PCB containing caulk is not an authorized use and is illegal.” • “Potential for exposure may be significant” • “PCB-containing caulk must be removed upon discovery” • Removal and Disposal per 40 CFR Part 761 • ATSDR – Aroclor 1254 is a Common Ingredient in Caulk

  16. State / Local Response • Willis Stephens, NYS Assemblyman • Preparing Bill to Require Testing of Caulk in Schools Constructed or Renovated Prior to January 1978. • Michael Kaplowitz, Westchester County Legislator 5/06 • “Now that PCB contamination is being discovered in more and more schools, we need to take a closer look and step up our efforts to get the EPA to appropriately regulate testing and remediation.”

  17. State / Local Response • State University Construction Fund • Requires Testing for PCBs in Caulk Prior to Disturbance • State Education Department • Drafting Guidelines on PCB-containing Caulk • Con Edison • Requires Testing Prior to Facility Closure • 1 Glazing and 1 Caulk / Elevation / Building

  18. Conclusions • Caulk is a suspected PCB-containing material and should be routinely tested for PCBs prior to disturbance. • Caulk is a significant PCB exposure risk. • PCB-containing caulk must be removed and disposed of as PCB waste upon discovery. • State agencies and private businesses have begun to develop guidelines for testing and removal of PCB-containing caulk. • Currently testing caulk for PCBs is not required by law but “may be advisable.”

  19. For More Information Please Contact: Thomas Gibbons, CHMM Client Program Manager Thomas.Gibbons@shawgrp.com 212-290-6098 646-529-3641

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