PCB regulations and procedures for risk management including PCB clean-up policy and procedures

The PCB spill cleanup policy is reviewed. Methods of disposal available to owners are discussed. The pain associated with complying with spill cleanup requirements is causing many power transformer owners to dispose of equipment as a method of eliminating PCB-related risks. Some methods of legal disposal, which are allowed under the regulations, do not eliminate risks but may actually increase them. Once the rules are discussed, an alternative that eliminates the long-term exposure risks caused by disposal of PCB-containing equipment is given. In particular, a three-step solution to this problem is presented that depends on the following: specifying an appropriate method of disposal to completely destroy PCBs; utilizing vendors who are EPA approved and inspected; and reviewing thoroughly the control mechanisms and procedures used by vendors to prevent environmental exposures to PCBs and to ensure that the customers long-term liabilities are completely eliminated