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CHAPTER 8 POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs)

8-1. PURPOSE.

This chapter provides information and guidance applicable to Section 6(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 (15 U.S.C. 2605) and to the regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 40 CFR 761 for the use, storage, marking, inspection, recordkeeping and disposal of PCBs and for the notification and manifesting of PCB waste.

8-2. BACKGROUND

a. Section 6(e) of TSCA prohibits the manufacture, processing or distribution in commerce of PCBs, except in a totally enclosed manner or as exempted by the EPA. The regulations promulgated by the EPA at 40 CFR 761 are applicable to DLA installations and allow continued use indefinitely for most PCB transformers as long as certain use and service conditions are met:

b. PCBs have a heavy liquid, oil-like consistency, and weigh 10-12 pounds per gallon. The properties that have made them commercially attractive include a high degree of chemical stability, high heat capacity, low electrical conductivity, and a favorable dielectric constant.

c. The major use of PCBs has been in electrical transformers, capacitors, heat transfer systems, and hydraulic systems. PCBs have also been used in voltage regulators, electric switches, circuit breakers, reclosers, paints, adhesives, caulking compounds, plasticizers, inks, lubricants, carbonless copy paper, sealants, coatings, and dust control agents. Within DLA, the greatest quantities of PCBs are found in PCB-contaminated transformers, PCB transformers, and in hydraulic systems.

d. Monsanto Corporation was the principal manufacturer of PCBs in the United States. They began production of PCBs under the trade name "As- karel" in 1929; in 1977 production was voluntarily terminated because of widespread environmental concerns about PCBs. Companies who used PCBs in the manufacture of transformers and capacitors, and for other uses, often used other trade names.

e. The EPA has determined that persons exposed to PCBs can develop chloracne, a degenerative skin disorder characterized by lesions, and that PCBs may be carcinogenic. There is also potential for adverse reproductive effects and developmental toxicity. PCBs released into the environment are long-lived and bioconcentrate in the fatty tissues of organisms, such as fish which may be consumed by humans.

8-3. POLICY. It is DLA policy to:

a. Comply with applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, handling, storage, marking, inspection, reporting, notification, manifesting, and disposal of PCBs and PCB waste to protect human health and the environment.

b. Cooperate fully with the host installation in meeting applicable Federal, state and local requirements for proper management of PCBs, where the DLA activity is a tenant operation.

c. To the extent reasonable and cost effective, reclassify more highly-contaminated electrical equipment as non-PCB equipment by performing proper servicing procedures.

d. Remove from use all remaining PCB transformers containing more than 60,000 ppm of PCBs.

e. Consider all DLA-managed office buildings as commercial buildings as defined in 40 CFR 761.3. For DLA-managed properties, the facilities engineer will serve as the building owner for purposes of registration of PCB transformers already in or near commercial buildings.

f. Comply with the substantive requirements of 40 CFR 761 at overseas installations. If the host country has more stringent PCB requirements, every effort should be made to comply with those standards using best management practices.

g. Reject PCB waste from non-Department of Defense generators.

h. Investigate and pursue the use of substitutes for PCBs as part of an integrated hazardous waste minimization program.

8-4. RESPONSIBILITIES.

The Heads of DLA-managed activities will:

a. Ensure that PCBs and PCB items for which they have accountability are handled, stored, marked, and inspected in accordance with 40 CFR 761 and any applicable state and local requirements.

b. Ensure that PCB transformers and PCB-contaminated transformers are inspected for leaks, maintain all records at the activity, and provide notification to the EPA as required by 40 CFR 761.

c. Ensure that PCBs and PCB items in their accountability are inventoried by 1 July annually and maintain the reports at the activity for at least 3 years.

d. Transfer accountability and custody of PCBs and PCB items (including wastes) to the appropriate Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) for storage (pending disposal) and disposal.

e. Establish and maintain a PCB-management program to include proper identification, marking, recordkeeping, inspection, testing, training, storage, notification, manifesting, and spill prevention and containment.

f. Ensure that bulk used oil is tested for PCBs if there is reason to believe such oil has become contaminated with PCBs. Ensure that used oil containing PCBs is disposed of properly; some states regulate used oil containing less than 50 ppm of PCBs as a hazardous waste.

g. Ensure that all spills of PCBs at concentrations of 50 ppm or greater which exceed 10 pounds are reported to the EPA; in addition, report all such spills to DLA-W/DEPO on DLA Form 1685, Oil or Hazardous Spill Report.

h. Ensure that the proper funding account is used to clean up PCB spills (refer to the current management guidance for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program to determine eligibility).

i. Establish a program to remove all PCB transformers and PCB-contaminated transformers from DLA-managed office buildings or other sites which could pose a threat to the public health or to property.

8-5. PROCEDURES

a. Prohibitions (40 CFR 761.20)

(1) No person may use any PCB or any PCB item, regardless of concentration, in any manner other than in a totally enclosed manner within the United States unless authorized.

(2) The use of waste oil containing any detectable concentration of PCB as a sealant, coating, or dust control agent, is prohibited. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, road oiling, general dust control, use as a pesticide or herbicide carrier, and use as a rust preventive on pipes.

(3) Used oil containing any quantifiable levels of PCB may be burned for energy recovery only in qualified incinerators as defined in 40 CFR 761.3 or in burners identified in 40 CFR 266.41(b).

b. Requirements for the Use of PC Transformers (40 CFR 761.30)

(1) The use and storage for reuse of PCB transformers that pose an exposure risk to food or feed is prohibited.

(2) The use of network PCB transformers with secondary voltages equal or greater than 480 volts in or near commercial buildings is prohibited.

(3) The installation of PCB transformers, removed from another area, is prohibited in or near a commercial building.

(4) All radial PCB transformers and network transformers with a secondary voltage less than 480 volts in use in or near a commercial building must be equipped with electrical protection to avoid transformer failure caused by high current faults.

(5) All radial PCB transformers with secondary voltages equal or greater than 480 volts in use in or near a commercial building must, in addition to the requirements in subparagraph (4) above, be equipped with protection to avoid transformer failure caused by sustained low current faults.

(6) All PCB transformers, including those in storage for reuse, must be registered with fire response personnel with primary jurisdiction. Information to be provided should include location, type of dielectric fluid, and a point of contact.

(7) Combustible materials, including but not limited to paints, solvents, plastics, paper and sawn wood, must not be stored within a PCB transformer enclosure (i.e., vaults or partitioned areas), within 5 meters of a transformer enclosure, or within 5 meters of an unenclosed transformer.

(8) A visual inspection of each PCB transformer must be performed at least once every 3 months.

(9) Leaking PCB transformers must be repaired or replaced. Cleanup of the released PCBs must be initiated as soon as possible, but in no case later than 48 hours of its discovery. Until repair or replacement is completed, any active leak of PCBs must be contained and inspected daily to verify containment. Trenches, dikes, buckets, and pans are examples of proper containment measures.

(10) Records of inspection and maintenance history shall be maintained for at least 3 years after disposing of the transformer and shall be made available for inspection by EPA. The records should include the following information: location; dates inspected; person performing the inspection; applicable information on any discovered leaks.

(11) A reduced visual inspection frequency of at least once every 12 months applies to PCB transformers which have impervious undrained secondary containment capacity of at least 100 percent of the total dielectric fluid volume of all transformers so contained or PCB transformers which have been tested and found to contain less than 60,000 ppm PCBs.

c. Requirements for the Servicing of PCB Transformers

(1) There are no restrictions on the servicing of PCB-contaminated transformers as long as dielectric fluid less than 500 ppm PCB is used.

(2) Servicing of PCB transformers that require the removal of the transformer coil from the transformer casing is prohibited. The PCB transformers can be serviced with dielectric fluids at any PCB concentration.

(3) A PCB transformer may be converted to a PCB-contaminated transformer or to a non-PCB transformer by draining, refilling and/or otherwise servicing the transformer with appropriate dielectric fluid.

d. Requirements for the Use of PCB Railroad Transformers

(1) The use of railroad transformers that contain dielectric fluid with a PCB concentration greater than 1000 ppm is prohibited.

(2) The concentration of PCBs in the dielectric fluid contained in railroad transformers must be measured after any authorized service and the data shall be retained until January 1, 1991.

e. Requirements for the Use of PCB Large High-and-Low Voltage Capacitors. These capacitors, with any concentration of PCBs, can be used subject to the following conditions:

(1) The use and storage for reuse of these capacitors which pose an exposure risk to food or feed are prohibited.

(2) The use of these capacitors is prohibited unless the capacitor is used within a restricted-access electrical substation or in a contained and restricted- access indoor installation.

f. Use in Heat Transfer Systems and Hydraulic Systems (40 CFR 761.30(d) and (e))

(1) PCBs may be used in heat transfer systems and hydraulic systems in other than a totally enclosed manner at concentrations of less than 50 ppm.

(2) The PCB concentration in the heat transfer and hydraulic fluids must be tested at least annually. Test sampling must be performed a minimum of 3 months after the most recent fluid refilling. Once a test indicates that the PCB concentration is less than 50 ppm, testing is no longer required, but the data must be retained for 5 years.

(3) If a test indicates that a system's fluid contains 50 ppm or more of PCBs (0.005 percent on a dry weight basis), the system must be drained and refilled with fluid containing less than 50 ppm PCB.

(4) The addition of fluids containing PCB concentrations greater than 50 ppm is prohibited, but topping-off with fluids of lower concentration is permitted.

g. Marking of PCBs and PCB Items (40 CFR 761.40)

(1) The following items must be marked with the appropriate label (black letters on a white or yellow background), which can be obtained through normal supply channels with DLA Form 699, Request for Issue from Stock:

(a) PCB containers.

(b) PCB transformers. Marking PCB-contaminated electrical equipment (containing between 50-500 ppm PCBs) is not required.

(c) Individual PCB large high-voltage capacitors, or the power pole, structure or fence if one or more PCB large high-voltage capacitors are installed in such a protected location.

(d) Equipment containing a PCB transformer or a PCB large high-voltage capacitor.

(e) PCB large low-voltage capacitors, when removed from use.

(f) Electric motors using PCB coolants.

(g) Hydraulic systems using PCB hydraulic fluid.

(h) Heat transfer systems using PCB heat transfer fluid.

(i) PCB article containers containing any of the above.

(j) Each storage area used to store PCBs and PCB items for disposal.

(k) Each end and side of each transport vehicle loaded with PCB containers that contain more than 45 kg (99.4 pounds) of PCBs in the liquid phase, or loaded with one or more PCB transformers.

(2) Any manufactured chemical substance or mixture that contains less than 500 ppm PCB must be labeled in accordance with any requirement contained in the exemption granted by EPA to permit such manufacture.

(3) The vault door, machinery room door, fence, hallway, or means of access (other than grates and manhole covers) to a PCB transformer must be labeled so that it can be easily read by firemen fighting a fire involving this equipment.

(4) All required labels must be placed in a position on the exterior of the PCB items or transport vehicles so that the labels can be easily read by any person inspecting the PCB items or transport vehicles.

(5) Where the PCB article or PCB equipment is too small to accommodate the standard large label (6x6 inches), the smaller standard label must be used (1x2 inches). These labels may be reduced to 2x2 inches and 0.4 X 0.8 inches, respectively, for smaller items.

h. Disposal (40 CFR 761.60). The following table summarizes the disposal methods required for various PCB items and materials.

PCB DISPOSAL SUMMARY
PCB ITEM   METHODS OF DISPOSAL
     
PCBs at concentrations of 500 ppm or greater   Incinerator
Mineral oil dielectric fluid from PCB-
contaminated electrical equipment
containing a PCB concentration of
50 ppm or greater, but less than 500 ppm
  Incinerator
Chemical waste landfill
High efficiency boiler
Liquids, other than mineral oil
dielectric fluid, containing a PCB
concentration of 50 ppm or greater,
but less than 500 ppm
  Incinerator
Chemical waste landfill
High efficiency boiler
Any non-liquid PCBs at concentrations
of 50 ppm or greater in the form of
contaminated soil, rags, or other debris
  Incinerator
Chemical waste landfill
All dredged materials and municipal
sewage treatment sludges that contain
PCBs at concentrations of 50 ppm or greater
  Incinerator
Chemical waste landfill
A disposal method approved
by an EPA regional
administrator
PCB transformers   Incinerator
Chemical waste landfill
PCB capacitors
PCB small capacitor (manufacturer)
PCB small capacitor
PCB large high- or low-voltage
capacitor containing 500 ppm or greater
of PCBs
  Incinerator
Municipal solid waste
Incinerator
PCB hydraulic machines
(if properly drained or flushed)
  Municipal solid waste
Salvage
PCB-contaminated electrical
equipment (after draining)
  Municipal solid waste
PCB articles with concentrations at 500 ppm
or greater
  Incinerator
Chemical waste landfill
Any PCB container with PCB concentrations at
500 ppm or greater
  Incinerator
Chemical waste landfill
Any PCB container used to contain PCBs at
concentrations below 500 ppm (provided the
container is drained of all liquid which in turn is
disposed of properly)
  Municipal solid waste

i. Storage (40 CFR 761.65)

(1) DLA activities are exempt from the commercial storage requirements under certain circumstances. All Department of Defense installations and DLA activities are considered to be "related" so that there will be no commercial storage involved when one DoD installation stores PCB waste that was generated by another DoD installation. However, storage at a DoD installation of PCBs generated by any other Federal (non-DoD), state or local government department, agency or other facility will constitute commercial storage as defined by the EPA and is subject to the requirements of 10 U.S.C. 2692 (Storage and Disposal of Non-Defense Toxic and Hazardous Materials).

(2) Any PCB article or PCB container at concentrations of 50 ppm or greater which is stored for disposal shall be removed from storage and properly disposed of within 1 year from the date the item was placed in storage.

(3) All storage facilities must have:

(a) Adequate roof and walls to prevent rain water from reaching the stored PCBs and PCB items.

(b) An adequate floor which has continuous curbing with a minimum height of 6 inches. The floor and curbing must be able to contain at least twice the internal volume of the largest item stored, or 25 percent of the total volume of all the items or containers stored, whichever is greater.

(c) No floor drains, drain valves, expansion joints, sewer lines, or other openings that would permit liquids to flow from the curbed area.

(d) Floors and curbing constructed of continuous smooth and impervious materials, such as portland cement concrete or steel.

(e) A location above the 100-year flood water elevation.

(4) Nonleaking and structurally undamaged PCB large high-voltage capacitors and PCB-contaminated electrical equipment that have not been drained of dielectric fluid may be stored on pallets next to a storage facility that meets the above requirements provided that this facility has immediately available unfilled storage space equal to 10 percent of the volume of capacitors and equipment stored outside. These capacitors and equipment shall be checked for leaks weekly.

(a) All storage areas must be labeled in accordance with the previous requirements on marking PCBs and PCB items.

(b) No movable equipment that is used for handling PCBs and PCB items in the storage facility and that comes in direct contact with PCBs shall be removed from the storage facility area unless decontaminated.

(5) All PCB articles and PCB containers in storage shall be checked for leaks at least once every 30 days. Any leaking PCB articles and PCB containers and their contents shall be transferred immediately to properly marked, nonleaking containers. Any spilled or leaked materials shall be immediately cleaned up, using sorbents or other adequate means.

(6) Only those containers specified in 49 CFR 178 (Shipping Container Specifications) and 29 CFR 1910 (Occupational Health and Safety Standards) can be used for the storage of liquid PCBs.

(7) PCB articles and PCB containers shall be dated when placed into storage. The storage area shall be managed such that the PCB containers and PCB articles can be located by the date they entered storage.

(8) The following items can be stored temporarily in an area that does not comply with the above facility requirements for up to 30 days from the date of their removal from service, provided that a notation is attached to the PCB item or PCB container indicating the date the item was removed from service:

(a) Nonleaking PCB articles and equipment.

(b) Leaking PCB articles and PCB equipment if the PCB items are placed in a nonleaking PCB container that contains sufficient sorbent material to absorb any liquid PCBs remaining in the PCB items.

(c) PCB containers containing nonliquid PCBs such as contaminated soil, rags and debris.

(d) PCB containers containing liquid PCBs at a concentration between 50 and 500 ppm, provided that a spill prevention, control and countermeasures plan has been prepared for the temporary storage area in accordance with 40 CFR, Part 112.

j. Recordkeeping and Reporting (40 CFR 761.180)

(1) For PCBs and PCB items in service or projected for disposal at a facility using or storing at one time at least 45 kilograms (99.4 pounds) of PCBs contained in PCB container(s) or one or more PCB transformers, or 50 or more PCB large capacitors, the senior DLA official is responsible for developing and maintaining records and the written annual document log of the disposition of the PCBs and PCB items. For purposes of complying with 40 CFR 761, the senior DLA official at DLA-managed activities will be the activity head; where DLA is a tenant, it will be the chief of the tenant activity. These records will form the basis of an annual document log prepared for each facility by 1 July covering the previous calendar year. The records and documents, including all signed manifests and certificates of disposal received by the facility, must be maintained for at least 3 years after the facility ceases using or storing PCBs and PCB items.

(2) The following information for each facility shall be included in the annual document log:

(a) The name, address and EPA identification number (previously assigned under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) of the facility.

(b) The unique manifest number of every manifest generated by the facility during the calendar year.

(c) From each manifest and for unmanifested waste stored at the facility:

(1) For bulk PCB waste (in tanker or truck), its weight in kilograms, the date it was first removed from service for disposal, the date it was placed into transport for offsite storage or disposal, and the date of disposal, if known.

(2) For each PCB article, container or article container, its serial number (if available) or other unique identifying number, a description of its contents, the weight in kilograms of the PCB waste or items in each, the first date the item was removed from service or placed in the container for disposal, the date it was placed into transport for offsite storage or disposal, and the date of disposal, if known.

(d) The total number of PCB articles, PCB article containers, and PCB containers by specific type, the total weight in kilograms of the contents of each type and the total weight in kilograms of bulk PCB waste placed into storage for disposal during the calendar year.

(e) The total number of PCB transformers and total weight in kilograms of PCBs contained in the transformers remaining in service at the end of the calendar year.

(f) The total number of large high- or low-voltage PCB capacitors remaining in service at the end of the calendar year.

(g) The total weight in kilograms of any PCBs and PCB items in PCB containers, including the identification of their contents, remaining in service at the facility during the calendar year.

(h) A record of each telephone call, or other means of verification agreed upon by the parties, made to each designated commercial storer or designated disposer to confirm receipt of PCB waste transported by an independent transporter.

k. PCB Waste Disposal Records and Reports (40 CFR 761.202)

(1) A storage facility that is subject to the requirements of 40 CFR 761.65 must notify the EPA that it is a generator of PCB waste with a 40 CFR 761.65(b) storage area, using the identification number already issued to it under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

(2) Generators who relinquish control over PCB wastes for offsite storage or disposal must prepare a manifest (EPA Form 8700-22).

(3) Significant manifest discrepancies (any variation in piece count, variations larger than 10 percent in the weight of PCB waste in containers, or discrepancies in type of PCB waste as determined by inspection or waste analysis) which are not resolved within 15 days after receipt of the waste must be reported in writing to the EPA.

(4) The generator must contact the transporter and/or the commercial storage or disposal facility if the generator does not receive a signed copy of the manifest from the storage or disposal facility within 35 days of the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter.

(5) The generator must submit an Exception Report to the EPA if a signed copy of the manifest is not received within 45 days of the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter.

(6) The generator must submit a 1-Year Exception Report to the EPA when:

(a) The generator transferred the PCBs or PCB items to the disposer of PCB waste more than 9 months from the date of removal from service for disposal.

(b) The generator has not received a Certificate of Disposal within 13 months from the date of removal from service for disposal of the PCBs or PCB items.

(c) The generator receives a Certificate of Disposal more than 1 year after the date of removal from service of the PCBs or PCB items.

(7) A Certificate of Disposal must be sent to the generator within 30 days of the completion of disposal. Generators must retain a copy of each Certificate of Disposal for 3 years.

(8) PCB waste generated within the U.S. will be manifested at the installation that generates it at the time the waste leaves the DoD installation. PCB waste that is being returned from overseas for disposal legally (PCB items of U.S. origin) will be manifested at the point of entry into the U.S. The stateside facility that receives the PCB waste and originates the manifest will attach one copy of the transfer paper for each item listed on the manifest. These copies of the transfer papers must be kept with the copy of the manifest that is required to be retained.

1. Decontamination and Reclassification (40 CFR 761.79; 40 CFR 761.30(a)(2)(v) and (h)(2)(v)).

(1) Decontamination of a PCB container consists of flushing the internal surfaces of the container three times with a solvent containing less than 50 ppm PCBs.

(a) The solvent must have a PCB solubility of 5 percent or more by weight.

(b) The amount of solvent used in each rinse should be approximately 10 percent of the container's capacity.

(c) The solvent can be reused until it achieves a PCB concentration of 50 ppm, after which it must be disposed of as a PCB; nonliquid PCBs resulting from decontamination must be disposed of similarly (see subparagraph h above).

(2) Decontamination of movable equipment used in storage areas consists of swabbing surfaces that have contacted PCBs with a solvent that meets the criteria above.

(3) Regardless of the actual PCB concentration, mixtures of dielectric fluids in which any component of the mixture contained 500 ppm or more PCB will be considered to have a PCB concentration of 500 ppm or more. These mixtures must not be used in any electrical equipment and must be disposed of in an EPA-approved incinerator.

(4) PCB transformers, electromagnets, switches, and voltage regulators may be reclassified by retrofilling the items with the appropriate dielectric fluid (less than 500 ppm PCB for conversion to PCB-contaminated status or less than 50 ppm for conversion to non-PCB status) and testing the new fluid after a minimum of 3 months of inservice use.

(a) All PCBs removed during reclassification must be disposed of properly (see subparagraph 8-5h).

(b) Equipment reclassified to non-PCB status is no longer subject to regulation under TSCA but may be subject to state regulations. (c) Equipment which has not been properly retrofilled, but which has been taken out of service and drained of dielectric fluid, is subject to the 1-year storage limit and is presumed to be full.

m. PCB Spill Cleanup (40 CFR 761.120)

(1) Reporting requirements apply to all spills of PCBs at concentrations of 50 ppm or greater.

(a) All spills involving 10 pounds or more of PCB material must be reported to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802) in accordance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). In addition, DLA Form 1685 must be forwarded to DLA-WE for all such spills.

(b) The appropriate EPA regional office must be notified for the following spills: spills to sewers, surface or drinking water, grazing lands, vegetable gardens, and spills involving 10 pounds or more PCBs. The 10 pounds of PCBs in this paragraph refers to the weight of the PCB-containing material rather than by the weight of only the PCBs spilled, which is the basis for notification in subparagraph (a), above.

(c) The above notifications must take place within 24 hours of spill discovery.

(d) EPA notification for spills of less than 10 pounds of PCB-containing material is not required. Nevertheless, spill cleanup action will be taken.

(2) Spill cleanup requirements

(a) Old spills which were discovered after 4 May 1987, will require site-by-site evaluation and decontamination.

(b) Low concentration spills which involve less than 1 pound of PCBs by weight (less than 270 gallons of untested mineral oil) shall be cleaned and documented in the following manner:

(1) Solid surfaces must be double washed/rinsed. Indoor residential surfaces other than vault areas must be cleaned to 10 micrograms per 100 square centimeters by standard commercial wipe tests.

(2) All soil within the spill area must be excavated, and the area must be restored to its original configuration by backfilling with soil containing less than 1 ppm PCB.

(3) The above requirements must be completed within 48 hours after the installation environmental officer was notified or became aware of the spill.

(4) All contaminated soils, solvents, rags, and other materials resulting from the cleanup of PCBs shall be properly stored, labeled and disposed of.

(5) At the completion of the cleanup, the installation environmental officer shall document the cleanup with records and certification of decontamination. The records and certification must be maintained for 5 years, and shall consist of the source, location and date/time of the spill, physical site parameters, sampling, costs and post cleanup procedures.

(c) High and low concentration spills involving 1 pound or more PCBs by weight (270 gallons or more of untested mineral oil).

(1) The final cleanup level of high and low concentration spills involving 1 pound or more PCBs by weight (270 gallons or more of untested mineral oil) will depend on the location of the spill (i.e., restricted access area, nonrestricted access area).

(2) The following steps must be taken as quickly as possible and within no more than 24 hours (or within 48 hours for PCB transformers) after the installation environmental officer has been notified or becomes aware of the spill, regardless of spill location.

(a) The installation environmental officer shall notify the appropriate EPA regional office and the National Response Center.

(b) The installation environmental officer shall effectively cordon off an area encompassing any visible traces plus a 3-foot buffer. Warning signs must be placed around the area.

(c) The installation environmental officer shall record and document the area of visible contamination, noting the extent of the visible trace areas and the center of the visible trace area.

(d) The installation environmental officer shall initiate a cleanup of all visible traces of the fluid on hard surfaces, soil or other media.

(e) If there has been a delay in reaching the spill site, and there are insufficient visible traces of PCBs remaining at the spill site, the installation environmental officer must estimate (based on the amount of material missing from the equipment or container) the area of the spill and immediately cordon off the area of suspect contamination. The installation environmental officer must then utilize a statistically-based sampling scheme to identify the boundaries of the spill area as soon as practicable.

(3) Requirements for decontaminating spills involving 1 pound or more PCBs by weight in outdoor electrical substations:

(a) Contaminated solid surfaces shall be cleaned to a PCB concentration of 100 micrograms per 10 square centimeters.

(b) Soil contaminated by the spill will be cleaned to either 25 ppm PCB by weight, or to 50 ppm PCB by weight, provided that a label or notice is visibly placed in the area.

(4) Requirements for decontaminating spills involving 1 pound or more PCBs by weight in other restricted access areas:

(a) High-contact solid surfaces shall be cleaned to 10 micrograms per 100 square centimeters.

(b) Low-contact indoor impervious solid surfaces shall be cleaned to 10 micrograms per 100 square centimeters.

(c) Low-contact indoor nonimpervious surfaces will be cleaned to either 10 micrograms per 100 square centimeters or to 100 micrograms per 100 square centimeters and encapsulated.

(d) Low-contact outdoor surfaces shall be cleaned to 100 micrograms per 100 square centimeters.

(e) Soil contaminated by the spill will be cleaned to 25 ppm PCBs by weight.

(5) Requirements for decontaminating spills involving 1 pound or more PCBs by weight in nonrestricted access areas:

(a) Contaminated furnishings, toys, and other replaceable household items shall be disposed of properly and replaced.

(b) Indoor solid surfaces and high-contact outdoor solid surfaces shall be cleaned to 10 micrograms per 100 square centimeters as measured by standard wipe tests.

(c) Indoor vault areas and low-contact outdoor impervious solid surfaces shall be decontaminated to 10 micrograms per 100 square centimeters.

(d) Low-contact outdoor nonimpervious solid surfaces shall be either cleaned to 10 micrograms per 100 square centimeters or cleaned to 100 micrograms per 100 square centimeters and encapsulated.

(e) Soil contaminated by the spill will be decontaminated to 10 ppm PCBs by weight provided that the soil is excavated to a minimum depth of 10 inches and is replaced with soil containing less than 1 ppm PCBs.

(f) All contaminated soils, solvents, rags, and other material resulting from the cleanup of PCBs must be properly stored, labeled, and disposed of.

(g) The installation environmental officer shall document the cleanup with records of decontaminations. The records must be maintained for a period of 5 years. The records and certification shall consist of spill date/time, location and source, physical site parameters, sampling, post cleanup procedures, and costs.

(h) Post cleanup sampling is required to verify the level of cleanup. Any statistically valid, reproducible sampling scheme (either random samples or grid samples) is acceptable, provided the following conditions are met:

(1) The sampling area is the greater of an area equal to the area cleaned, plus an additional 1-foot boundary or an area 20 percent larger than the original area of contamination.

(2) The sampling scheme must ensure 95 percent confidence against false positives.

(3) The number of samples must be sufficient to ensure that areas of contamination of a radius of 2 feet or more within the sampling area will be detected, except that the minimum number of samples is three and the maximum number of samples is 40.

(4) The sampling scheme must include calculations for expected variability due to analytical error.

SUMMARY OF SPILL RESPONSE A
SPILL SIZE AND LOCATION   RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
     
All spills involving 10 pounds of PCB material
(1 gal. PCB dielectric fluid)
  (1) Notify National Response Center (1-800-424-8802) anywhere.
(2) Send completed DLA Form 1685 to DLA-W/DEPO.
(3) Cleanup will depend on location and size.
Any spill contaminating ground or   (1) Notify EPA regional office. surface water.
(2) Regional office will direct cleanup.
Any spill contaminating grazing   (1) Notify EPA regional office. land or vegetable gardens.
(2) Follow cleanup directions according to spill size.
Less than 1 pound PCBs by weight
(< 270 gallons untested mineral oil)
  (1) Notification unnecessary.
(2) Wash/rinse solid surfaces.
(3) Clean indoor residential surfaces to 10 micrograms per 100 square cm.
(4) Remove contaminated soil and backfill with soil contain- ing 1 ppm PCBs.
(5) The above must be completed within 48 hours of the spill discovery.
(6) All contaminated material must be properly disposed of.
(7) Spill and cleanup must be documented.
1 pound or more PCB by weight
(270 gallons or more untested mineral oil)
  (1) Notify EPA regional office and National Response Center for spills over 10 pounds.
(2) Cordon off and restrict access to the spill area.
(3) Record and document area of visible contamination.
(4) Initiate cleanup of all visible traces of spill.
(5) The above steps must be completed within 24 hours.
1. In outdoor electrical substations.   (a) Clean solid surfaces to 100 micrograms per 10 square cm.
(b) Clean soil to either 25 ppm PCB or 50 ppm PCB with notice placement.
2. In other restricted access areas.   (a) Clean high contact surfaces and low contact indoor impervious surfaces to 10 micrograms per 100 square cm.
(b) Clean low contact indoor non-impervious surfaces to either 10 micrograms per 100 square cm. or to 100 micro- grams per 100 square cm. and encapsulate.
(c) Clean low contact outdoor surfaces to 100 micrograms per 100 square cm.
(d) Clean soil to 25 ppm PCBs.
3. In nonrestricted access areas.   (a) Replace contaminated house- hold items.
(b) Clean indoor solid surfaces and high contact solid surfaces to 10 micrograms per 100 square cm.
(c) Clean indoor vault areas and low contact outdoor imper- vious solid surfaces to 10 micrograms per 100 square cm.
(d) Clean low contact outdoor non-impervious solid sur- faces to 10 micrograms per 100 square cm. or to 100 micrograms per 100 square cm. and encapsulate.
(e) Clean soil to 10 ppm PCB, if excavated soil is replaced with soil containing <1 ppm PCB.
(f) Properly document the spill and cleanup.
(g) Properly dispose of all contaminated materials.

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