Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Overview Policy and Guidance Chemistry and Behavior Environmental Occurrence Toxicology Detection and Site Characterization Treatment Technologies Conferences and Seminars Additional Resources

Policy and Guidance

PCBs have been designated as a hazardous substance pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 and as a toxic chemical under Section 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. Title III of SARA—also known as "The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986"—specifies that owners and operators of certain facilities that have PCBs on their sites in amounts exceeding a specified reporting threshold are required to report annually releases of PCBs to any environmental medium. The owners and operators of these facilities also are required to immediately report releases of PCBs to environmental media if the amount released exceeds the "reportable quantity."

The statutory sources for designating PCBs as CERCLA hazardous substance are sections 311(b)(4) and 307(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The statutory reportable quantity for PCBs is established by Section 102 of CERCLA. PCBs are regulated by the Clean Water Effluent Guidelines as stated in 40 CFR 400-475 (Code of Federal Regulations). For each point source category, PCBs may be regulated as a group of chemicals controlled as Total Toxic Organics or may have a specific Regulatory Limitation. The point source categories for which PCBs are controlled as a Total Toxic Organic include electroplating and metal finishing. The point source category for which PCB has a specific regulatory limitation is steam electric power generating.

Waters and their sediments contaminated by atmospheric deposition and discharges of PCBs have resulted in over 675 advisories restricting the consumption of PCB-contaminated fish, shellfish, and wildlife issued in 37 states and in one U.S. Territory (American Samoa). The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) bans manufacturing, processing, and distributing PCBs in commerce. It also bans the use of PCBs outside of totally enclosed systems.

On June 29, 1998, EPA published amendments in the Federal Register to the regulatory requirements for the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, cleanup, storage, and disposal of PCBs. The amendments contained in the final rule are codified in 40 CFR 750 and 40 CFR 761. Some of the substances regulated by the requirements in 40 CFR 761 are dielectric fluids, solvents, oil, waste oils, heat transfer fluids, hydraulic fluids, paints or coatings, sludges, slurries, sediments, dredge spoils, soils, and materials containing PCBs as a result of spills. The regulatory applicability for these substances depends in part on the concentration of PCBs present. The requirements for the disposal of PCB liquids and PCB items are codified at 40 CFR 761.60. Disposal requirements for PCB remediation waste or PCB bulk product waste are codified in 40 CFR 761.61 and 761.62, respectively. When the components of a waste are PCBs and non-PCB contaminants, and the PCB component is approved for disposal, the non-PCB component must meet the requirements of all other applicable statues or regulatory authorities prior to disposal.

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General

The 2002 National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories (NLFWA)
U.S. EPA.

PCB Question and Answer Manual
U.S. EPA, 2001.

Guidance

Field Manual for Grid Sampling of PCB Spill Sites to Verify Cleanup
U.S. EPA, Office of Toxic Substances.
EPA 560-5-86-017, 1986.
Contact: John Smith, smith.johnh@epa.gov

Guidance for Assessing Chemical Contaminant Data for Use in Fish Advisories, Volume 1: Fish Sampling and Analysis, Sections 4.3.6 and 5.3.2.3
U.S. EPA, Office of Water.
EPA 823-R-95-007, 472 pp, 1995.

Guidance on Remedial Actions for Superfund Sites with PCB Contamination
U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
EPA 540-G-90-007, Directive 9355.4-01, 152 pp, 1990.

A Guide on Remedial Actions at Superfund Sites with PCB Contamination. Quick Reference Fact Sheet
U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
OSWER Directive 9355.4-01FS, 5 pp, Aug 1990.

Locating and Estimating Air Emission Sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)
U.S. EPA, Office of Air and Radiation.
EPA 450-4-84-007N, 82 pp, 1987.

Sampling Guidance for 40 CFR 761 Subparts M, O, P, and R
U.S. EPA.
Contact: John Smith, smith.johnh@epa.gov

Waste Analysis at Facilities That Generate, Treat, Store, and Dispose of Hazardous Wastes: a Guidance Manual
U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
OSWER 9938.4-03, ECDIC-2002-011, 200 pp, 1994.

Regulatory

40 CFR 761: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Manufacturing, Processing, Distribution in Commerce, and Use Prohibitions
Code of Federal Regulations.

Multi-Media Investigation Manual
U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement.
EPA 330-9-89-003-R, 234 pp, 1992.

TSCA Disposal Requirements for Fluorescent Light Ballasts
U.S. EPA.
Contact: Dave Hannemann, hannemann.dave@epa.gov

Policy

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Penalty Policy
U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement.
EC-P-1998-43, 46 pp, 1990.

Protocol for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits of Facilities with PCBs, Asbestos, and Lead-Based Paint Regulated under TSCA
U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
EPA 300-B-00-004, 240 pp, 2000.

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Last updated on Thursday, November 13, 2008