PCB Remediation Information

PCB remediation waste is defined as waste containing PCBs as a result of a spill, release, or other unauthorized disposal at the following concentrations:

- Materials disposed of prior to April 18, 1978, that are currently at concentrations > 50 ppm PCB, regardless of the concentrations of the original spill;

- Materials which are currently at any volume or concentration where the original source was > 500 PPM PCB beginning on April 18, 1978, or > 50 PPM PCB beginning on July 2, 1979; and

- Materials, which are currently at any concentration if the PCBs are from a source not authorized for, use.

Examples are: soil, gravel, dredged materials, sewage sludge, and buildings contaminated by leaking PCBs. These PCB remediation wastes are managed based on the concentrations at which the PCBs are found, as opposed to at their original concentration.

There are three mechanisms for remediation wastes established by this rule:

(1) Self-implementing on-site cleanup and disposal. This requires application and approval by EPA and then follows guidelines established in regulation for cleanup and disposal.

(2) Performance-based disposal. When using this option, remediation wastes are managed under existing disposal regulations established for other types of wastes for PCB remediation.

(3) Risk-based disposal approval. This requires application and approval by EPA to utilize disposal standards other than the self-implementing standards or the performance based standards.

Cleanup requirements are based on whether the area is classified as high occupancy or low occupancy and are summarized in the table below.

"High Occupancy Area" is defined as any area where waste has been disposed of on-site and where occupancy for any individual not wearing dermal and respiratory protection for a calendar year is: 840 hours or more (an average of 16.8 hours or more per week) for non-porous surfaces and 335 hours or more (an average of 6.7 hours or more per week) for bulk wastes. Examples could include a residence, school, day care center, sleeping quarters, a single or multiple occupancy 40 hours per week work station, a control room, and a work station at an assembly line.

"Low Occupancy Area" is defined as any area where waste has been disposed of on-site and where occupancy for any individual not wearing dermal and respiratory protection for a calendar year is: less than 840 hours (an aver age of 16.8 hours per week) for non-porous surfaces and less than 335 hours (an average of 6.7 hours per week) for bulkwaste. Examples could include an electrical substation or a location in an industrial facility where a worker spends small amounts of time per week (such as an unoccupied area outside a building, an electrical equipment vault, or in the non-office space in a warehouse where occupancy is transitory).