Agenda Packets - 1982/12/06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-4- 5) PCBs AND PCB WASTES. Although the amounts of PCB wastes being disposed of is insignficant when compared to the overall waste stream (approximately 0.1%), this waste becomes important for two reasons: first, it is a highly controversial material; and second, because of recent EPA regulations limiting future use of the material, a large quantity of PCB -containing materials which would not otherwise have been removed from service must be disposed of over the next seven years. - What are these wastes? Mostly,PCB-contaminated wastes are oils from electrical equipment, where PCB has been used for years due to its superior heat -transfer properties. Many industries and couvnercial establishments own electrical equipment and will have to dispose of the oils. Why are they hazardous? PCB is not highly toxic. However, it is one of the most environmentally persistent compounds. When released into the environment, PCB tends to concentrate to potentially toxic levels in the food chain. In addition, some laboratory tests indicate that PCB may be carcinogenic; other studies dispute these findings. PCB should be handled carefully, but it is not as dangerous a substance to store and transport as some news reports would have us believe. How should these wastes be managed? Because of the potential for groundwater pollution, PCBs should be destroyed rather than landfilled whenever possible. The chemical stability of PCB makes it difficult to destroy the compound, but there are newly developed chemical treatment methods which destroy most (not all of the PCB in dielectric fluid, thus permitting reuse of the fluid; and incineration of PCB at high temperature destroys virtually all PCB. Existing utility boilers can be used to incinerate dilute PCB wastes, but specially equipped rotary kiln incinerators are needed for concentrated wastes. What facilities does Minnesota need? Because PCB destruction is a temporary problem PCBs are no longer being manufactured), stationary facilities used exclusively for PCB treatment may not be economically attractive investments. Mobile chemical rocess- ing units serving large areas are currently operating, but it remains to be seen if they can take care of demand for the service. Additionally, there are two rotary kiln incinerators currently approved to incinerate PCBs in other states, with a third company planning to apply for approval. Development of a PCB incinerator in Minnesota is unlikely in the near future because of the complex permitting requirements. Out of state shipments of PCBs could be consolidated at a transfer station.