The 2019 Guidance for Applicants Requesting To Treat/Dispose of PCBs Using Incineration or an Alternative Method is an update to two versions from 1986. The Guidance discusses the factors that must be considered when determining appropriate cleanup levels, like the type of PCB waste or the intended use of the Brownfields site. “In fact, what we know from the state’s work and others is that PCB levels have dropped as much as 96 percent in the sediment in the upper Hudson. Planning for PCB-Containing Debris provides suggestions to local emergency planning committees and local governments on planning for the management of damaged, PCB-containing electrical equipment and materials contaminated with PCBs. Total PCBs in sediments were much lower than the sediment cleanup objective (110 ug/kg) described in WAC 173-204. Total PCB levels on a dry weight basis ranged from 39 – 190 ug/kg with a mean of 110 ug/kg. (2) Removal of the fine organic sediments may also play an important role, since a … These incidents can occur as a result of PCB spills or other environmental releases during an emergency situation caused by a natural disaster. PCB concentrations in soil and sediment As polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accu-mulate in the organic fraction of soil and sedi-ments, the PCB content of the sample will depend on the sample material. These proposed cleanup goals will protect people and the environment. operated a large-scale industrial facility including the manufacturing and servicing of power transformers When dental offices replace old X-ray machines, they may discover that the machines contain, or may contain, PCBs. This guidance does not replace or supplant the requirements of the TSCA PCB regulations, nor does it establish a presumption against enforcement should any violations of PCB cleanup and disposal regulations be discovered. PCBs were commonly used in a variety of materials including paints, caulking, and adhesives due to the advantageous physical and chemical properties … The Agency believes this interpretation responds to stakeholder interest in the use and distribution of recycled plastics from shredder residue recovered from metals recycling facilities. If a deviation from any of the self-implementing procedures is proposed under 761.61(c), the 30-day default time line does not apply. ½*ö£S/=KÁÏ`Ö/Çñ)s§ýÛ[M¹F¢êTèafr[
ep° Xnéø$Ñ%+q᮸lpb°K,]våÁ×¥OÆÐý0ÁJ£K?ÖB; ±»Ê^T°V´ãáiôÛ1Ùó ǧ°V³=í#3ÉØÙÖ. OSHA's PEL is 1,000 µg/m 3 for PCB mixtures 42% chlorinated and 500 µg/m 3 for compounds 54% chlorinated. To determine the GBP, the following factors affecting a violation’s gravity are considered: EPA received a letter from US Ecology in November 2016 asking about the need for a TSCA PCB approval for a facility that is conducting treatment on PCB-containing waste under RCRA, prior to land disposal. PCB levels above the Washington State Sediment Cleanup Levels were found in sediments at 0-2, 2-4 and 6-8 ft depths near the outfall of the Jorgensen pipe. The document presents and discusses the format, content and level of detail necessary for: This guidance updates and combines two existing guidance documents that were developed in 1986: Draft Guidelines for Permit Applications and Demonstration Test Plans for PCB Incinerators, and Draft Guidelines for Permit Applications and Demonstration Test Plans for PCB Disposal by Non-Thermal Alternative Methods. î ÛvÞCé4ɧ3ð8_P5vP¶CêöèxØvÊpü}4¢ç]Mk©õÃ`=J?W]tSÓØM}ÕEëÒ®óæ×nz RzùÐ+Åû÷Ræ²kvÒ;ÄùïpY¼1Ü3úÒpòF]C/Çé4{öCªûºÝÔs/´fiàHÅþ׬5ïýZYþ´K³óe¶®²ÌÖUÿ_îËÖÕ¿ã_æ¸ö¿ !Ý+
Penalties are determined in two stages: (1) determination of a “gravity based penalty” (GBP), (2) adjustments to the gravity based penalty. PCB-containing FLBs that are currently in use have exceeded their designed life span. Now, as widely expected, the agency’s revised final permit allows GE to save millions by placing about 1 million cubic yards of low-level PCB soils and sediment into a lined and capped landfill in a former Lee quarry. The physical and chemical properties of PCBs allow them for a wide range of industrial applications. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water and land. Dl-PCB levels varied greatly between sampling sites, and were higher in areas with intensive industrial activity. The update modernizes the document format and puts all of the relevant existing policies in one place. Without cleanup, it would take decades if not hundreds of years, before PCB concentrations in fish would decrease to a level that would permit unlimited consumption. PCB containing ballasts become a concern if they are leaking or they will be removed and disposed of as hazardous waste. For the reasons set forth in the memorandum, the Agency reexamined this interpretation and determined that it is not required under TSCA. 1993). In addition, other relevant TSCA PCB requirements are mentioned, such as covering/capping PCB-contaminated areas, waste storage, waste container marking, manifesting and recordkeeping requirements. The RODs authorized dredging, capping and sand covering as the remedial action methods. The Guidance discusses the factors that must be considered when determining appropriate cleanup levels, like the type of PCB waste or the intended use of the Brownfields site. 05/10/18 02:08:pm PCB Remediation Project in Basin H Sewer Project Overview. Mean concentrations of CB118 in sediment are at or above this level in three of the six assessment areas assessed. OMC dredged the northern harbor area to achieve a cleanup level of 50 mg/kg for PCBs. AGA provided a study titled Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Polyethylene (PE) Gas Distribution Piping conducted by NYSEARCH and National Grid, which demonstrated that the amount of PCB absorption into MDPE and HDPE was minimal, and penetration of PCBs was not beyond the immediate surface. For more information, including the draft and final versions of the guidance, visit the Docket EPA-HQ-OLEM-2018-0305 on regulations.gov. • Sediment PCB concentrations ranged from 0.46 to 3.95 ug/kg. For sediments, fine material is generally preferred (OSPAR, 2002). OSTI.GOV Conference: Evaluation of PCB cleanup levels for the Hartwell Lake Superfund Site Title: Evaluation of PCB cleanup levels for the Hartwell Lake Superfund Site Full Record Interested in subscribing to DEP newsletters or receiving DEP updates through email? The cleanup of PCB contaminated sediment in the Wood / Slocum Street and Sawyer Street areas is complete, resulting in 6.5 acres cleaned to EPA’s standards. The web pages below contain copies of select letters and memoranda issued by EPA headquarters (HQs) that contain guidance: EPA developed an interim guidance for conducting public engagement in the PCB cleanup, storage (prior to disposal) and disposal approval process during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This is a good time to remind you that while there is no truly safe level, the Commonwealth’s acceptable level for PCBs in residential soil is 1 ppm and that the river cleanup aims to achieve levels of 1 ppm for the top 12 inches of river sediment. GE/Housatonic River Site Update (PDF) (PDF) (6 pp, 700 K, About PDF ) on how PCBs move through the environment, what EPA knows about the PCBs in the Housatonic River, and their health effects. Planning for PCB Waste Management After Natural Disasters, Treatment of Waste Containing PCBs -Policy Letter, Guidance about Planning for Polychlorinated Biphenyl Containing Disaster Debris, Guidance for PCB Incinerator and Alternative Technology Approval Applicants, Classification of MDPE and HDPE as a Non-Porous Surface, PCB Guidance in Memoranda and Letters Issued by EPA Headquarters, Sampling Guidance for 40 CFR 761 subparts M, O, P and R, TSCA Disposal Requirements for Fluorescent Light Ballasts, Proper Maintenance, Removal, and Disposal of PCB-Containing Fluorescent Light Ballasts, Fact Sheet: PCBs in Fluorescent Light Ballasts, EPA's Interpretation on Recycling Plastics from Shredder Residue, Interpretation of Change in Ownership of Real Property, PCB Site Revitalization Guidance Under the TSCA, Federal Register Notice for PCB Site Revitalization Guide, EPA's Response Letter to US Ecology Regarding Treatment of Waste Containing PCBs, Planning for Natural Disaster Debris Guidance, Planning for Polychlorinated Biphenyl Containing Disaster Debris, Guidance for Applicants Requesting To Treat/Dispose of PCBs Using Incineration or an Alternative Method. The PCB Site Revitalization Guidance Under the TSCA provides information on PCB waste including the following: Examples include soil and other debris generated as a result of any PCB spill cleanup. PCBs — polychlorinated biphenyls — were the chemicals used in the production of carbonless copy paper. Four years ago, the EPA ordered a cleanup that called for all PCBs to be shipped to licensed disposal sites outside Massachusetts. Stated Cleanup Levels: Copper, 52.9 ppb in pore water; nickel, 33.7 ppb in pore water; anthracene, 513 ppb in sediment; chrysene, 1,767 ppb in sediment; fluorene, 203 ppb in sediment; total PCBs, 3,634 ppb in sediment (EPA 2000d). Future updates will be posted here, and each update will be noted in the revision date of the Manual. United States Environmental Protection Agency. The highest PCB levels were measured at stations S-9 (190 ug/kg) and … The Fields Brook site in Ohio is 53,000 cubic yards with maximum PCB‐contamination levels of 610 ppm. Fox River Cleanup Reduces PCB Levels in Fish. Future updates will be posted here, and each update will be noted in the revision date of the Manual. -of way/Utility Corridor soil: EPA set a preliminary cleanup goal of no more than 21 ppm of PCBs in soil. Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Environmental monitoring conducted during cleanup activities in 2004 and 2005 has shown that contaminated sediment removal is being done without an appreciable release and downstream loss of PCBs. Sudden rupture of PCB-containing FLBs may pose health hazards to the occupants and is difficult and costly to clean up.
An ongoing problem facing the global environmental community including NASA centers is the removal and remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). (i) Contaminated solid surfaces (both impervious and non-impervious) shall be cleaned to a PCB concentration of 100 micrograms (µg)/100 square centimeters (cm 2) … 1 b). Freshwater Marine/estuarine Total PCBs ISQG 34.1 21.5 PEL 277 189 Aroclor 1254 ISQG 60* 63.3 PEL 340 † 709 * Provisional; adoption of lowest effect levelfrom Ontario(Persaud et al. Although the letter is specific to US Ecology's circumstances, we believe it will be helpful to many facilities that handle both RCRA and TSCA PCB wastes. PCB cleanup makes uneven progress ... A study that Ghosh and other researchers presented to the district earlier this year found dissolved PCB levels in the creek to be “screaming high,” as he put it — up to 20 times the levels measured in the river. Interim sediment quality criteria The EPA’s two-part cleanup plan called for the targeted environmental dredging of approximately 2.65 million cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment from a 40-mile stretch of the Upper Hudson River between Fort Edward and Troy, NY, followed by a period of monitored natural recovery. Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain PCBs. It is for persons applying to EPA for approval to dispose of PCBs using thermal and non-thermal alternative methods (40 CFR 761.60(e)) or incineration (§ 761.70). endstream
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You can also contact the appropriate EPA Regional PCB Coordinator if you have more questions concerning acceptable remediation practices. Note: It may be possible to split off a soil portion of a complex site if it isn’t related to sediment or other elements of the site and possibly manage that portion separately as a Type B or C site and for a Type C site, be eligible for a coordinated approval. %%EOF
A 2008 investigation identified the Milwaukee Die Cast Company, located at 4132 North Holton Street in the City of Milwaukee, as the primary source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) that are coating sewers … More often, the impact of PCBs on aquatic life and consumers of aquatic life will determine the cleanup level. complete and the cleanup may begin provided the PCB cleanup and disposal meets all prescriptive re-quirements specified in 40 CFR 761.61(a). EPA’s Response Letter to AGA Regarding MDPE and HDPE as a Non-Porous Surface, the Office of Land and Emergency Management web page, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention web page, PCB Cleanup and Disposal Guidance in Interpretive Letters Issued by EPA HQs, PCB Cleanup and Disposal Guidance in Memoranda Issued by EPA HQs, Facility Approval Streamlining Toolbox (FAST), Commercial Storage and Disposal Facilities, 2004 Supplemental Response to Comments Document on the Proposed Rule - Disposal of PCBs, The extent of potential or actual environmental harm from a given violation, Trial burn and demonstration (demo) test plans; and. Although the letter is specific to AGA's circumstances, we believe it will be helpful to many natural gas utilities that use MDPE and HDPE in their distribution systems. PCB cleanup. Docket EPA-HQ-OLEM-2018-0305 on regulations.gov. Overall, the average sediment PCB concentration varied significantly between different reaches of river, indicating there are still certain areas in the upper Hudson where PCB contaminated sediments remain. EPA responded to AGA with the determination that MDPE and HDPE used in natural gas distribution piping may be considered a “non-porous surface” as defined in 40 CFR 761.3, and may be wipe sampled as such for waste profiling. The document may be useful to Brownfields grant recipients or others revitalizing old properties that involve PCB cleanups under TSCA. • Once cleanup is underway, the EPA must be notified in writing of any changes to the proposed cleanup no . A hazardous waste manifest is required for the transportation of PCB waste in accordance with 40 CFR part 761 subpart K. The eManifest FAQs contain information that may be helpful to entities creating and managing PCB waste manifests. EPA recommends removing PCB-containing FLBs from buildings as soon as possible to prevent potential inhalation or dermal exposure. PCBs are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with high toxicity, and have undesirable effects on the environment and on humans (Lallas, 2001). About DEP. The PCB Question and Answer (Q&A) Manual covers the breadth of EPA's PCB regulations, including the use, cleanup, and disposal of PCBs. As a result of recent natural disasters, questions have arisen regarding the assessment, cleanup, and disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) during and immediately after an emergency situation caused by a natural disaster. From 11/18/03 to 2/10/03: results from 51 individual PCB air samples (listed below) ranged from 0.2 to 100 ng/m 3 (nanograms per cubic meter of air - a nanogram is one-billionth of a gram). PCBs were commonly used in the small capacitor within fluorescent light ballasts. Search “PCB” for the FAQs specific to PCB waste. Since the approval process for incinerators and alternative methods are sufficiently similar, the two 1986 guidance documents were incorporated into a single, updated guidance document. PLANS FOR PCB CLEANUP IN A REGIONAL SEWER. Furthermore, it is the Agency's position that recycling material that would otherwise become waste can generate a host of environmental and economic benefits while protecting people's health. EPA is interpreting its PCB regulations under the TSCA to generally allow for recycling of plastic separated from automobile and other shredder residue. This document supplements the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Planning for Natural Disaster Debris Guidance” to provide more detailed information on the management of PCB-containing disaster debris in emergency situations that arise from natural disasters. Sampling of surficial sediments conducted in 1996 indicated moderate levels (typically < 25 mg/kg) of PCB contamination throughout the harbor from the North Harbor down to the Entrance Channel. In 2007 and 2008, ROD Amendments were issued for OUs2-5 and OU1, respectively. FDA's tolerance levels for PCBs in food range between 0.2 and 3 ppm. New Bedford Harbor contains more than 900,000 cubic yards of sediment at PCB‐contamination levels of up to 10,000ppm. Appendix for Section 34 AETs Dev eloped using Reference Condition D r af tTch ni lR po v C u d Abatement Order No. For all PCB Use guidance, visit the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention web page. Onc… Check out EPA's Interpretation of Change in Ownership of Real Property Contaminated with PCBs. Dredging began in 2009 and was completed in 2015. Studies are still on-going to identify the possible sources of this contamination. The approved remedy for OUs2-5 was to remediate all sediment with PCBs greater than 1 ppm by … overall cleanup plans for the Lower Fox River have been finalized and removal of PCB contaminated sediment began in 2004. Under this process the ROD set standards for sediment removal. With the exception of the most toxic congener (CB118), concentrations of all PCB congeners in sediment are below the level at which they could present an unacceptable risk to the environment. 0
Sediment The cleanup level established for PCB-contaminated sediment may be based on direct-contact threats (if the surface water is used for swimming) or on exposure as sumptions specific to the site (e.g., drink- ing water supplies). Green PCB Remediation from Sediment Systems Metadata Updated: July 17, 2020. This fact sheet is intended to help answer questions regarding how to comply with EPA regulations for PCB-containing x-ray machines. Removal of PCB-containing FLBs, as part of lighting upgrades or a stand-alone project, is an investment that may pay off with long-term benefits to students, school staff, the community, and the environment. Sign Up. According to EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations, the material must be incinerated. Their electrical insulating properties allow for their use with electrical equipment, such as in cooling, for instance (Merkel et al., 1999). Table II - Soil Cleanup Target Levels for Rule 62-777. The purpose of the PCB Penalty Policy is to ensure that penalties for violations of the various PCB regulations are fair, uniform and consistent, and to deter people from committing PCB violations. The entire lighting fixture does not need special handling and disposal as long as the ballast (electrical box) is not leaking. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used for industrial purposes since 1929 (Alcock et al., 1994). Share: Last Modified: June 29, 2018 - 2:00pm . The Manual is revised and updated periodically. EPA received a letter from the American Gas Association (AGA) in March of 2018 requesting that EPA clarify whether or not Medium Density Polyethylene Pipe (MDPE) and High Density Polyethylene Pipe (HDPE) are non-porous surfaces. For all PCB Cleanup and Disposal guidance, visit the Office of Land and Emergency Management web page. kg 1 dw). Total concentrations of 12 dl-PCBs in sediments ranged from 2.70 to 177 pg/g dry weight, with a mean value of 24.0 pg/g dry weight (Fig. When EPA identifies violations of the PCB provisions of TSCA, EPA responds to such violations in accordance with the April 9, 1990 PCB Penalty Policy. The non-leaking ballasts can be removed and recycled or disposed of properly. 1367 0 obj
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Alternative Cleanup Levels . Previous to 2003, the Agency interpreted this statutory prohibition to apply to the sale of real property contaminated with PCBs if the contamination occurred after 1978. Even intact PCB-containing FLBs may emit small amounts of PCBs into the air during normal use. Although PCB levels were lower than those measured in 1994 and 1996, most fish tissue samples still exceeded the National Toxics Rule human health criteria (NTR=5.3 ug/kg). The cleanup goals are not final until EPA selects a final cleanup plan. An official website of the United States government. 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