PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)

• Background
• PCBs Monitoring and Research in Wisconsin
• Cleanup and Management of PCBs in Wisconsin
• Options to Reduce PCBs
• National, International, and Other PCBs Initiatives

Background

Previous Uses: Commercial use began in 1929 and was widespread. Manufacture of PCBs was stopped in 1977 (in the United States). Major uses of PCBs included insulation for electrical cables and wires, coolants and lubricants, and in the production of electrical condensers.

Health Effects: The PCBs and Your Health (exit DNR) site provided by Wisconsin’s Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) provides a good summary of PCB health concerns.

PCBs are considered to be probable human carcinogens based on its association with liver tumors of laboratory rats (USEPA 1997). Recent EPA documents have termed the findings of some human studies as "suggestive" of an association between human cancer and PCB exposure (USEPA 1997). PCBs are also associated with immunological effects in animals and some developmental effects in humans. People who have been exposed to PCBs for a long time have problems such as irritation of the nose and lungs, and skin irritations consisting of acne and rashes (chloracne) (ATSDR 2001).

Ecological Effects: Polychlorinated biphenyls are another example of a highly persistent, highly lipophilic organochlorine contaminant. The degree of chlorination plays a role in the toxicity of PCBs to fish and wildlife. The higher chlorinated congeners appear to be less toxic to aquatic organisms but more toxic to birds and mammals. Birds appear to be more resistant to the acute toxicity of PCBs compared to mammals, but are susceptible to the reproductive effects. The mink is the most sensitive wildlife species where dietary concentrations as low as 0.1 ppm have produced toxic effects. Sublethal effects of PCB exposure include skin lesions, wasting syndrome, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxic and epigenetic effects, hepatotoxicity and induction of hepatic and extrahepatic metabolizing enzymes. Growth disorders and delayed reproduction and reproductive impairment are also linked to PCB exposure (Eisler 1986).

Trade Names: Aroclor, Dykanol, Noflamol, Chlorentol, Inerteen, Pyranol, Therminol, Chlorophen, Cholorextol, Clophen, Colphen, Fenclor, Kanachlor, Montar, Pyralene, Santotherm, Therminol FR.

EPA Substance Registry Information: The registry lists over 326 substances related to PCBs. The registry provides a good overview of the environmental regulations related to PCBs for one of these chemicals, Polychlorinated biphenyls (CAS # 1335-36-3).

PCBs Monitoring and Research in Wisconsin

Monitoring

• PCBs found in fish, especially in the Great Lakes and other areas of contaminated sediment have been a health concern in Wisconsin. 
  • Fish Consumption Advisories
  • How Do PCB's get into the Fish I Eat?
  • PCB's & Your Health, Wisconsin Department of Health PCB website (exit DNR)
• PCB contaminated sediment are a problem in Wisconsin's Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Specific information can be found in the 2002 WQ Report to Congress: Chapter 5: Great Lakes (pgs 12-20) and at the EPA's Great Lakes Area of Concern web pages:
  • Menominee River, Wisconsin, US EPA (exit DNR)
  • Milwaukee Estuary, Wisconsin, US EPA (exit DNR)
  • Lower Green Bay and Fox River, Wisconsin, US EPA (exit DNR)
  • Sheboygan River, Wisconsin, US EPA (exit DNR)
• Wisconsin' s 2002 Water Quality Report to Congress also identified 299.90 stream miles that are degraded due to PCB contamination (2002 WQ Report to Congress; Chapter 3: Rivers and Streams Assessment Summary, page 91). The report notes that 59 of Wisconsin's 2000 monitored lakes and stream segments have more stringent fish consumption advisories because of the presence of PCBs and other organic chemicals.
• Historical Ambient Monitoring for PCBs was done as part of Green Bay Urban Air Toxics Monitoring Studies (1991-1995, 1995-1996); Wisconsin Urban Air Toxics Monitoring Studies (1996-1997, 1997-1998) and Fox River Remediation Air Monitoring Report

Source Monitoring and Reporting

• TRI data for Wisconsin facilities reporting releases can be retrieved at EPA’s TRI Explorer (exit DNR)

Laboratory Certification

• The Department of Natural Resources certifies and registers laboratories to perform PCBs tests for soil, water and waste testing for many of the agency's environmental programs.

Cleanup and Management of PCBs in Wisconsin

Contaminated Sediment

• Cleanup efforts at PCB contaminated sediment sites were summarized in 2001. Details and more recent information can be found at:
• The Lower Fox River
• Sheboygan River and Sheboygan River Superfund Site, US EPA (exit DNR)
• Hayton Mill Pond in Calumet County

Remediation and Redevelopment

• The DNR’s RR program assists Responsible Parties with site investigation and clean up of any "hazardous substance" releases in Wisconsin. This would include releases of PCBs that contaminate soil or groundwater. RR program guidance on investigations and clean ups can be found at the RR program web site.
• PCB remediation may also be regulated under the federal Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA). In addition, PCBs in concentrations equal to or greater than 50 ppm are regulated by the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). As such, TSCA should be reviewed for applicability when managing a PCB contaminated material. Additional information on TSCA can be found at the following EPA PCB web page (exit DNR).

Air Management

• PCBs are regulated as hazardous air pollutants (NR 445 Wisc. Adm. Code) under Wisconsin’s Air Management Program.

Groundwater and Drinking Water Management

• There are groundwater standards for PCBs in Wisconsin laws for Groundwater Protection (NR 140 Wisc. Adm. Code) and in Safe Drinking Water law (NR 809 Wisc. Adm. Code).

Surface Water and Watershed Management

• Wisconsin has water quality standards to protect human health and wildlife for PCBs (NR 105 Wisc. Adm. Code) and guidelines for setting associated effluent limits (NR 106 Wisc. Adm. Code).

Waste Management

• PCB contaminated materials are regulated in Wisconsin under ch. NR 157, Wis. Adm. Code. In addition, PCBs in concentrations equal to or greater than 50 ppm are regulated by the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Additional information on TSCA can be found at the following EPA PCB web page (exit DNR).
• Waste Management rules for PCBs and products containing PCBs are found in NR 157 Wisc. Adm. Code.
• Wisconsin’s Pre-Demolition Environmental Checklist includes information on PCBs (DNR Publication WA-651-03)
• PCB Guidance for the Land Application of Solid Wastes
  

Options to Reduce PCBs

• Check for options to reduce PCBs on Wisconsin’s Pollution Prevention Partnership Website (exit DNR)

National, International and other PCBs Initiatives

• US EPA PCBs Homepage (exit DNR)
• EPA Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) Chemical Program (exit DNR) has listed PCB as a priority PBT.
• The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy, US EPA (exit DNR) includes PCBs as a Type 1 priority chemical.
• EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) (exit DNR) includes PCBs as a PBT chemical.
• EPA’s Waste Minimization Priority Chemical Program (exit DNR) includes PCBs.
• The Stockholm Agreement for Persistent Organic Pollutants, US EPA (exit DNR) includes PCBs as one the "dirty dozen" for international action.