Laserfiche WebLink
2.3 OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS <br />PCBs: <br />PCBs belong to a broad family of man-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PCBs were <br />domestically manufactured from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. They have a range of <br />toxicity and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. Due to their non - <br />flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point, and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in <br />hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including electrical, heat transfer, and hydraulic <br />equipment; as plasticizers in paints, plastics, and rubber products; in pigments, dyes, and carbonless copy <br />paper; and many other industrial applications. <br />Congress banned the manufacture of PCBs in the United States in 1976 because of their toxic effects. In July of <br />1979, EPA phased out the processing or use of PCBs, except in totally enclosed equipment. However, a large <br />number of FLBs that were installed prior to the ban, or that were stored and later used after the 1979 phase- <br />out, may contain PCBs and may still be in use in U.S. schools. EPA regulations also require that all FLBs built <br />between July 1, 1978 and July 1, 1998 that do not contain PCBs must be labeled "No PCBs." <br />Mercury: <br />Management and disposal by businesses of fluorescent light bulbs and other mercury -containing bulbs are <br />regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Universal Waste Rule (UWR) and Subtitle <br />C hazardous waste regulations. <br />All fluorescent bulbs contain some amount of mercury, generally ranging from 3.5-8mg. Follow state laws <br />regarding proper disposal. <br />Mercury -containing equipment means a device or part of a device (including thermostats, but excluding <br />batteries and lamps) that contains elemental mercury integral to its function. <br />Lead: <br />Lead paint or lead -based paint is paint containing lead. As pigment, lead(II) chromate (PbCr04, "chrome <br />yellow") and lead(II) carbonate (PbCO3, "white lead") are the most common forms. Lead is added to paint to <br />speed up drying, increase durability, maintain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. It <br />is one of the main health and environmental hazards associated with paint. In countries such as the U.S. and <br />the U.K. have regulations prohibiting this, although lead paint may still be found in older properties painted <br />prior to the introduction of such regulations. Although lead has been banned from household paints in the <br />United States since 1978, paint used in road markings may still contain it. <br />Page 6 of 39 <br />