EPA Publishes New PCBs Guidlines for Schools/Commercial Buildings

On Sept 30, the EPA issued a new guideline on handling PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in caulking in many buildings constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978.

Here is a link to an article on that subject. And here is a link to EPAs webpage addressing PCBs in caulking.

This has been a known environmental issue for some time, with not much activity/enforcement that I’m aware of in most regions of the U.S.

EPA recommends implementing steps to minimize exposure, including additional cleaning and ventilation, air duct cleaning, testing peeling, brittle, cracking or deteriorating caulk directly for the presence of PCBs and removing the caulk if PCBs are present at significant levels. EPA also recommends that building owners and facility managers should consider testing to determine if PCB levels in the air exceed EPA’s suggested public health levels. If testing reveals PCBs in the air above these levels, building owners should be especially vigilant in implementing and monitoring ventilation and hygienic practices to minimize exposures.

PSI has experience in this area and we are working with school districts and facility owners across the country to provide site specific assessments to deal with potential exposure to students, staff, and other occupants.  Please contact us richard.friesner@psiusa.com if you require additional information.

Please feel free to forward/share this information with your clients, especially schools, building owners & facility managers.