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PCB-Containing Caulk: A Widely Overlooked Hazard
Awareness of Potential Liability and Management Guidelines Increasing
10/13/2009–HUNT VALLEY, MD–Recent litigation and new information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are generating increased public concern about the dangers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in caulk – a problem largely overlooked until recent years. In March, a Bronx, N.Y. mother sued New York City over PCBs in caulk at her daughter’s public school. However, this was not the first lawsuit related to possible exposure on school property. To help school administrators deal with the issue, the EPA has announced new guidelines for reducing exposure and is conducting additional research into the problem.
The hazardous caulk was used primarily in non-residential construction along windows, doors, and masonry joints in the 1950s through 1977, when PCBs were banned from all U.S.-manufactured products. Over time, caulk installed during this time period could deteriorate and leach PCBs into nearby soil, concrete pads, bricks, mortar, and storm drains. In addition, renovation work in close proximity could also disturb the material and generate PCB-laden dust.
Studies have indicated PCB’s negative effects on reproductive, immune, and neurological system health. The chemical can be absorbed by inhalation, skin contact, and in the case of toddlers, by ingestion. Exposure to this likely carcinogen disproportionately affects children, so schools and daycare centers are of particular concern. Affected facilities may also include apartment complexes, medical buildings, military housing, and other public institutions. Therefore, facility managers, building owners, developers, and renovation contractors need to understand the potential health risks and possible liability, as well as the regulatory controls and proper management or removal methods.
The main statute regulating PCBs is the federal Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA 40 CFR 761); however, there are also state and local restrictions that must be observed. PCB-contaminated waste greater than 50 parts per million is classified as hazardous by the EPA and requires special handling by a qualified environmental contractor.
An environmental consulting firm can determine the extent of PCB contamination. If concentrations meet the hazardous level, engage a qualified environmental contractor to perform the removal work. The contractor should have the proper insurance, including pollution coverage. Workers must have OSHA 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training and are typically required to wear certain personal protective equipment, including full-face respirators and protective suits during performance of the work.
It is critically important to ensure that PCBs are not released to the air during the removal of caulk and other contaminated materials, so proper engineering controls, including sealed containment of the work area and constant negative air pressure within, may be required. Runoff controls must also be in place, where applicable. The removed materials must be properly packaged and labeled for disposal at an EPA-approved facility. After removal, a third-party consultant should perform clearance testing via air and/or wipe samples to verify the success of the removal process.
Many times, PCB-containing caulk is removed as part of a larger project. According to David A. Jungers, President of MARCOR Environmental, "Generally, we remove PCB caulking in combination with other environmental work. For example, at an Oakland, Calif medical facility, we removed PCB caulking as well as asbestos-containing wall plaster. The renovation contractor then replaced the windows and walls with new materials."
For additional information or to ask about free, educational PCBs-in-caulk seminars, call Steve Silicato at 1-877-6-MARCOR. Or, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a PCBs-in-caulk hotline, 1-888-835-5372, and a Web site, www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk.
MARCOR Environmental, a specialty contracting company founded in 1980 with a current staff of 500+ and headquarters in Hunt Valley, Md., performs a full range of environmental contracting services – nationwide. In addition to PCB removal, services include industrial cleaning, asbestos and lead hazard abatement, mold remediation, plant/process decommissioning, demolition, soil and groundwater remediation, storage tank management, disaster recovery work, and many other specialty project types. Customers typically include commercial and industrial firms, government agencies, the hospitality industry, educational institutions, health care facilities, industrial hygienists, environmental consultants, property management firms, and others. MARCOR is an affiliate of Nuprecon/CST. For additional information, go to www.marcor.com or call the corporate headquarters at 800-547-0128.
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