Polychlorinated Biphenyls Disposal
PCB fluids have long been associated with oil filled switches, capacitors and transformers found in power systems. UWM has tested and removed all PCB containing and PCB contaminated power system components. All remaining oil-filled components of the UWM power system should bear the label "TESTED FREE OF PCB". This label is normally blue with white lettering and border.
PCB dielectric fluid can also be found in ballasts associated with fluorescent light fixtures. UWM has replaced a preponderance of the light fixtures on campus with units that contain no PCBs. Any ballast that is free of PCBs will include "NO PCBs" language somewhere on the ballast label. Any ballast not having a "NO PCBs" designation should be considered to contain PCBs.
Ballasts Containing PCBs
Certain electronic equipment used in research may still have PCB containing components. Certain hydraulic equipment, especially hydraulics used in high temperature applications, may also contain PCBs. Equipment containing electrical motors or high voltage should be checked for PCB-containing components before disposal. Anyone with equipment manufactured before the late 1980s should be aware of the PCB content potential when surplussing, disposing or servicing the equipment.
Certain laboratory solutions and chemicals may contain PCBs. Of course, standards for PCB analysis will contain PCBs. Environmental samples processed for PCB analysis may have concentrated the PCB content. Refractive index oils, especially the higher refractive index oils, often contained PCBs. High voltage laboratory equipment may also have transformers which contain PCBs. In some rare cases, hydraulic oil from high temperature applications (e.g. foundry work) may contain PCBs.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Please contact Environmental Affairs staff at x4999 or x2883 if you have oil-containing surplus equipment, or any solutions thought to contain PCBs.
October 2, 2007 by SAK