Solutions for Safety & Visual Communication

Monday-Friday 5:30am-4:00pm PT

1-888-326-9244

Graphic Products
  • Resources
  • Support
  • Samples
  • Contact
  • Shop All Products
    CLOSE

    CATEGORIES
    • Printers
    • Printer Supply
    • Floor Marking
    • Pipe Marking
    • Safety Signs
    • Safety Labels

    DuraLabel Kodiak

    DuraLabel Kodiak
    Multi-color, large format

    KODIAK SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Toro

    DuraLabel Toro
    Portable, stand-alone

    TORO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Bronco

    DuraLabel Bronco
    Industrial, efficient

    BRONCO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Lobo

    DuraLabel Lobo
    Grab n' go labeler

    LOBO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Pro Series

    DuraLabel PRO 300
    Simple and reliable

    PRO 300 SUPPLIES

    LABELING SOFTWARE PRINTER ACCESSORIES PRINTER SUPPORT SHOP ALL PRINTERS
    SHOP BY APPLICATION
    Arc Flash GHS & HazCom Laboratory Pipe Labeling Wire Marking See All
    SUPPLY TYPE
    General Purpose High Visibility Low/High Temperatures Repositionable Tamper Resistant See All
    SHOP BY PRINTER
    Kodiak Supplies Toro Supplies Bronco Supplies Lobo Supplies DLP 300 Supplies See All

    RIBBONS PRINTER & SUPPLY BUNDLES SHOP ALL SUPPLIES
    FLOOR TAPES
    5S Aisle Glow in the Dark Reflective Anti-Slip See All
    FLOOR SIGNS
    BUNDLES
    SHAPES
    ACCESSORIES
    Applicators Stair Safety Floor Laminate
    anti-slip-floor-tape

    SHOP ALL FLOOR TAPES
    STANDARD PIPE MARKERS
    Fire Quenching Flammable / Oxidizing Toxic or Corrosive Compressed Air Various Water See All
    AMMONIA
    Pipe Markers Component Markers See All
    SHOP BY STANDARD
    ANSI IIAR Pre-2007 ANSI
    flammable-pipe-markers

    ARROWS/BANDING TAPE ACCESSORIES VALVE TAGS SHOP ALL PIPE MARKERS
    SHOP BY SUBJECT
    Admittance Chemical Electrical Emergency PPE See All
    SHOP BY HEADER
    Caution Danger Notice Safety Warning See All

    SHOP ALL SAFETY SIGNS
    SHOP BY SUBJECT
    Admittance Chemical Electrical Emergency PPE See All
    SHOP BY HEADER
    Caution Danger Notice Safety Warning See All

    SHOP ALL SAFETY LABELS
  • My Account
  • Cart()
Monday-Friday 5:30am-4:00pm PT 1-888-326-9244
Graphic Products
Menu Sign In
Products
Printers
Shop All Printers
Industrial Printers
Shop All Industrial Printers DuraLabel Toro DuraLabel Kodiak DuraLabel Bronco DuraLabel Lobo DuraLabel Pro 300
Bundles & Starter Kits
Shop All Bundles & Starter Kits
Labeling Software
DuraSuite Labeling Software LabelForge Labeling Software
Printer Supply
Shop All Printer Supply
Shop by Application
Shop All by Application Arc Flash GHS & Hazcom Laboratory Pipe Labeling Wire Marking
Shop by Supply Type
Shop All by Supply Type General Purpose High Visibility Low/High Temperature Repositionable Tamper Resistant
Shop by Printer
Shop All by Printer DuraLabel Kodiak DuraLabel Toro DuraLabel Bronco DuraLabel Lobo DuraLabel Pro 300
Other
Shop All Other Ribbons Printer & Supply Bundle
Floor Marking
Shop All Floor Marking
Floor Tape
Shop All Floor Tape 5S Aisle Glow in the Dark Reflective Anti-Slip
Floor Signs
Shop All Floor Signs
Accessories
Shop All Accessories Stair Safety Floor Laminate
Other
Shop All Other Bundles Shapes
Safety Signs
Shop All Safety Signs
Shop by Subject
Shop All by Subject Admittance Chemical Electrical Emergency PPE
Shop by Header
Shop All by Header Caution Danger Notice Safety Warning
Safety Labels
Shop All Safety Labels
Shop by Subject
Shop All by Subject Admittance Chemical Electrical Emergency PPE
Shop by Header
Shop All by Header Caution Danger Notice Safety Warning
Pipe Markers & Tags
Shop All Pipe Markers & Tags
Standard Pipe Markers
Shop All Standard Pipe Markers Fire Quenching Flammable/Oxidizing Toxic or Corrosive Compressed Air Various Water
Ammonia
Shop All Ammonia Pipe Markers Component Markers
Shop by Standard
Shop All by Standard ANSI IIAR Pre-2007 ANSI
Other
Shop All Other Arrows/Banding Tape Accessories Valve Tags
Resources
Support
Free Samples
Contact Us
Cart
Sign In
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

BY GRAPHIC PRODUCTS STAFF

What Are Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)?

Think of yourself as a lab rat. Chemicals synthesized in a laboratory before you were even born are now administered to you via the air you breathe, water you drink, food you eat, and even the weather. They might be in a light fixture above you right now, gradually misting toxins onto you.

Unfortunately, all of this is really happening. The toxin is PCB, or polychlorinated biphenyl.

What Are PCBs, and Where Are They Found?

PCBs are a man-made chemical used in many industrial and commercial applications such as hydraulic and electrical equipment as well as paint, plastic and rubber products, and mechanical lubricants. One of the most common trade name is Aroclor, but there are many other PCB trade names. PCBs are toxic and they may be around you in your workplace and in the equipment you work with.

PCBs were manufactured over a 50-year period in the United States. During this time the manufacturing process released it into the atmosphere, into the air and water supply, leeching it into the soil. Soon, birds, fish and other animals came into contact with it, transporting it further and gaining a host of health issues, such as cancer and reproductive failure.

When PCBs were introduced, they were an innovative and exceptionally useful chemical in a variety of industries. It was one of the first flame-retardant chemicals and has a high flash point and high thermal conductivity. Some types of transformers could only be constructed with the use of PCBs.

Symptoms Of PCB Exposure

In the 1930s symptoms started emerging in workers in the form of painful black bubbling of the skin, sometimes resulting in liver failure without a known cause. Chemicals were unregulated and unsafe work conditions were the norm. Laws were not typically designed to protect the worker, and industry often won out over safety. Stricken workers were typically poor and didn't have money for treatment or investigation beyond the evident symptoms, if that.

PCB-Related Health Issues

PCB exposure

In 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed, which authorized EPA to control substances it determined were unreasonably risky to public health. EPA evaluated studies and concluded that PCBs cause cancer, suppress the immune system, cause learning deficits, and a host of other serious health issues. PCBs were finally banned in 1979.

After the 1979 ban, items that contained PCB that were disposed of improperly may have resulted in leaks. When these items are crushed, toxins are released into the soil and eventually the water supply. When burned, the toxins make their way into the air. PCBs contaminate rain and snowfall and travel great distances through rivers. PCBs accumulate in food crops and animals consumed by humans. Whether you work around PCBs or not, you may have been contaminated.

PCB-related health issues, though potentially serious for those working around items containing PCBs, worsen when this toxin is released into the environment. The composition of PCB mixtures alters when it binds with soil or accumulates in animals. People who ingest fish that have been contaminated with it, or even come into contact with contaminated soil are in a higher risk group.

Though PCBs were banned more than three decades ago, this toxin is slow to degrade and we are still at risk.

Who Has the Greatest Risk of PCB Exposure?

Consumption of marine mammals, fish, or wildlife increases one's risk. A 39-mile river stretch in Green Bay, WI for instance is estimated to contain over 51,000 pounds of PCBs. EPA declared the fish and waterfowl as contaminated, and anyone eating them may suffer adverse health effects. But the waterfowl is not contained, nor are the toxins.

There is also a risk to workers that service pre-1979 electrical equipment or handle other equipment that is known to contain PCBs. Even working in a building with such equipment can be risky, and you may not know you're around it. Centers for Disease Control found increased death counts from brain cancer and melanoma in some plants where workers were exposed to PCBs.

PCBs were also used in caulk, with concentrations up to 30%. EPA believes that buildings constructed between 1950-1979 are at high risk of containing PCB-contaminated caulk. Its testing shows public buildings (including schools) and apartment complexes to be at risk although single-family houses are likely to have safe levels.

What Can Be Done to Minimize Risk?

Mercury, lead, DDT, arsenic, asbestos, PCBs... Life has become a chemical dodge, and it's a personal war to prevent stealth toxins from slowly stealing years from our lives. We can't fix the mistakes of the past, but we can minimize the hazards with these steps:

  • When prepping fish, remove organs, skin, and fat, which is where PCBs are stored. Fish fat can be found in the belly, back, and dark meat along the side. Avoid frying or cooking into soup as this retains fat. Do not consume juices which collect during cooking. Do not eat soft green parts of crab or lobster. Fish that are the highest-risk to eat are those that eat other fish.
  • When choosing meat or dairy, opt for low-fat organic options. Trim fat from meat prior to cooking and avoid frying. Do not consume juices which collect during cooking.
  • Don't use treated or painted wood for fires nor burn any substances that could contain PCBs.
  • Contractors working on public buildings constructed between 1950-1979 should test caulk prior to removal. If it tests positive, ensure toxins do not get released into the air by leaving it in place and following decontamination procedures.
HazCom 2012 Labeling Chart
This free chart provides a quick reference on SOS format

What Do I Need to Know About Labeling PCBs?

All equipment that is known to contain PCBs must be marked. Approved PCB labels are outlined in 40 CFR Part 761.45. For any items that are large enough to accommodate a 6" x 6" label, a large mark (ML) label is required. Smaller items may utilize the Small Mark (MS) label, which can be created in a variety of sizes from 0.4" x 0.8" to 1" x 2". You can better understand what to expect by getting informed on PCB label examples and specifications.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls Disposal

Methods have been found to contain and neutralize PCBs. Numerous companies throughout the United States have been approved under the Toxic Substances Control Act to accept and/or dispose of the necessary waste included in the EPA-approved polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) disposal facilities list. These facilities are designed to treat everything from fluorescent lights to transformers; they include chemical waste landfills, scrap metal recovery ovens, and chemical dechlorination.

Labeling Fluorescent Light Ballasts

Fluorescent light ballasts are at high risk for PCBs and in some cases, require labeling. Manifesting and labeling ARE required for performance-based disposal, per 40 CFR 761.62(a). They ARE NOT required for disposal in solid waste landfills, per 40 CFR 761.62(b). They MAY be required for risk-based disposal, which requires written application to the EPA region where storage shall take place, per 40 CFR 761.62(c). Review the various disposal types in 40 CFR 761.62.

Even when labeling is not required, records or optional labeling must show that the waste is less than one year old. In other words, they cannot simply be stored indefinitely without being appropriately assessed.

If the ballast was manufactured after July 2, 1979, regulations do not require you to label it as PCB-free. Labeling may be helpful for internal purposes so that the item is known to not require testing or PCB disposal.

If you don't know whether your ballasts contain PCBs, check the manufacturer and type to find out whether they were commonly made with PCBs. If you are unable to determine, you must assume that it does and use an approved PCB disposal process. It is crucial to understand the materials you may encounter in the workplace and have the appropriate signs and labels on materials. Ensure your workplace is compliant with all safety signage with the help of DuraLabel industrial printers and supplies.

Related Resources

Hazardous Chemicals Overview

Hazardous Chemicals Overview

Understand what can be classified as hazardous materials and how to safely work with them.

Read
Chemical Labeling Flowchart

Chemical Labeling Flowchart

Follow this flowchart to determine which chemical labels to use in your facility to comply with OSHA HazCom 2012 regulations

View
GHS & HazCom for Chemical Safety

GHS & HazCom for Chemical Safety

In 28 minutes, understand key elements of the GHS and HazCom 2012 approaches to chemical safety and how to implement them

Watch
  • This free chart provides a quick reference on SOS format
Get the latest deals straight to your inbox
Trusted by These Companies
Starbucks
GM
Du Pont
Amazon
Disney
3M
Pepsi
NASA
Chevron
AT&T
Toyota
Coca-Cola
UPS
Target
  • Graphic Products, Inc.
    9825 SW Sunshine Ct
    Beaverton, OR
    97005 USA

  • 1-888-326-9244 (U.S./Canada)
  • +1-503-644-5572 (International)
  • Products
  • Printers
  • Printer Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Safety Labels
  • Floor Marking
  • Pipe Markers & Tags
  • Catalog
  • Support
  • Check Order Status
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Manage Account
  • Printer Support
  • Warranties
  • Resources
  • Resource Center
  • Guides
  • Articles
  • Video Library
  • Safety Blog
  • Infographics
  • Webinars
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Become a Dealer
  • Find a Dealer
  • Press Room

Need Help?

Give us a call at 1-888-326-9244 and speak with an expert.

Customer Reviews
  • Copyright © 2019
  • All Rights Reserved
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Shipping and Returns
  • Privacy Policy