PCBs: Environmental Health and Safety Concerns
Posted on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 @ 01:40 PM
By Kevin Poulin, Account Manager
A potentially significant environmental health and safety concern was brought to the public’s attention this past week in the Boston Sunday Globe. The article written by Beth Daley confirms what many environmental officials have suspected for years, that high levels of PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) are present in many older New England schools. The high levels of PCBs used in the caulking applied to various parts of these buildings are now in a deteriorating condition. Tests have shown PCBs are finding their way into the soils around these buildings in concentrations above the regulatory limit through the weathering process and actual physical pieces falling off of these structures. Some tests are now being conducted to verify if this material is potentially becoming an airborne hazard inside these structures.
PCBs were used primarily in office buildings and schools during the 1960s and 1970s, but were banned in the late 1970s when extensive researched exposed that they may cause cancer. Unfortunately, there are no regulations in place that require schools to test for PCBs. If a school does test for PCBs and the results come back above the regulatory limit of 50 parts per million, the school is required to address the problem. Although the schools can choose not to test for PCBs, they may be jeopardizing the health and safety of their students and faculty.
EPA has mandated remediation projects at several New England Universities. At least two others have done abatement projects on their own. However, the majority of schools are waiting until further guidance or regulations are put in place.
Many of these institutions are struggling with the decision to address this issue from an ethical, and health/safety point of view. If a school decides to test for PCBs in building components and results demonstrate their presence, the costs associated with the solution can be overwhelming. The only EPA-approved abatement methods include the removal of the infrastructure that has come in contact with the PCB-laden material. This has caused abatement projects in individual buildings to cost millions.
These institutions are one of New England’s most valuable resources, which directly and indirectly make up a huge part of our local economy. Many schools are already struggling in this down economy. On the other side of the equation is the already enormous cost for students and their families who are attending these institutions. We cannot afford to place any more stress on these resources that help define the New England area in so many ways. On the other hand, the colleges and universities along with EPA, need to find a practical solution to look beyond the money and realize that their first priority should be the people who work, live, and attend school there. Perhaps they should look to the lessons learned from the last evil spirit called asbestos.
Triumvirate Environmental has been actively engaged on this issue for the past 5 years with policy/strategy development, testing programs, project/remediation management, as well as developing innovative, cost-saving remedial approaches. Contact us today for information or assistance on this issue.