Osha Pcb Regulations
Documented safety valve releases of pcb s from transformers demonstrate that the aerosol can be distributed to areas beyond the transformer vault by convective air currents.
Osha pcb regulations. However osha has set permissible exposure limits pels for pcbs of 42 concentration at 1 milligram per cubic meter mg m 3 and pcbs of 54 concentration at 0 5 mg m 3. These forms are chlorodiphenyl 42 and 54 chlorine. Epa has developed an interim guidance on site field work decisions due to impacts of covid 19. Presently there are no comprehensive osha regulations concerning pcb exposure.
Coronavirus disease 2019 covid 19 and pcbs epa has developed an interim guidance for public meetings during covid 19 for the pcb program. If you just want the regulations they are 40 cfr part 761 available here as a pdf file. Click here to view the pcb regulatory compliance guidance page. The disposal of pcb containing caulk and any attached pcb containing building materials is regulated under 40 cfr 761 62.
Osha does have specific standard for airborne levels for two isomers of pcbs and they are listed in 29 cfr 1910 1000 table z 1. Epa has issued a temporary policy regarding epa enforcement of environmental legal obligations during covid 19. Federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic substances include the environmental protection agency epa the occupational safety and health administration osha and the food and drug administration fda. Regulations can be enforced by law.
Osha s pel is 1 000 µg m 3 for pcb mixtures 42 chlorinated and 500 µg m 3 for compounds 54 chlorinated. Introduction prohibitions and requirements for handling polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs and pcb containing items are contained in title 40 code of federal regulations cfr part 761 polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs manufacturing processing distribution in commerce and use prohibitions these federal regulations are promulgated under sec. This is such a deep topic we have another web page devoted to it. 27 28 30 31 although pcb s manufactured in the united states contained up to 2 micrograms of pcdf s per gram of pcb s µg g 32 recent evidence indicates that additional pcdf s may be formed as a result of the.
Osha enforces its regulations and standards by conducting inspections based on priority such as an imminent danger situation fatality or a worker complaint. The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. Current workers or their representatives may file a written complaint and ask osha to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following osha standards. We also have a page on thepcb megarule changes.
These above compounds are the more common compounds found as insulating liquids used in electrical capacitors transformers and nuclear reactors. How do i dispose of my pcb containing caulk and attached building materials. All applicable provisions for storing packaging transporting manifesting recordkeeping and disposing in the pcb regulations must be adhered to.