Development of Decontamination Guidelines for PCB/PCDF and PCDD Decontamination in Areas of High Exposure Potential

Abstract

Increased recognition of the spread of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB’s), PCDF’s (Polychlorinated dibenzofurans), and Polychlorinated dibenzo Dioxins (PCDD’s) following transformer, capacitator fires and failures have resulted in industry and government attention to decontamination efforts. Two critical questions which surface after most spill events which in turn result in PCB/PCDF/PCDD spread to adjoining surfaces are:

• (1) What is the degree of exposure of individuals incidentally exposed to these products; and what risk do they face as a result of this exposure?

• (2) What level of decontamination would be necessary to allow the facility to return to unrestricted use?

Individuals involved in these events typically include:

• (1) Government officials

• (2) Responsible parties (owners, buildings managers, etc.)

• (3) Clean up contractors

• (4) Consultants

For the above individuals, the first questions they face following a PCB/PCDD/PCDF spill include what is the risk to individual’s exposure at the spill site and what level of residual PCB’s/PCDD’s/PCDF’s are acceptable.