PCB disposal problem may get tougher as deadline for review of regs approaches

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Electr. Light Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:5559340

Smock, R W

New Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules on oils and materials contaminated with polychlorinated byphenyls (PCBs) due for publication in August may be more complex than existing regulations. A review of the regulatory history begins with 1970, when PCBs were first identified as a hazard, and covers subsequent rules and findings. New information in an Edison Electric Institute (EEI) report shows tha electric utilities must dispose of 162 million pounds of PCBs instead of the 583 million pounds previously estimated. It also shows that 88 million lb of PCBs are in capacitors, while the remainder (75 millions lbs) is in about 40,000 transformers, mostly askarel; that about 10% of mineral oil transformers were contaminated; and that equipment leakage is less than expected. EPA is awaiting the final EEI report before proposing new regulations or publishing stronger supporting documents for the old regulations.

• OSTI ID: 5559340
• Journal Information: Electr. Light Power; (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Light Power; (United States) Vol. 60:3; ISSN ELLPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200200* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
AROMATICS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONTAMINATION
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
REGULATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT