Paul Cochrane | PCBs in Old Fluorescent Light Ballasts (FLBs) @IAQMarketer | Uploaded December 2020 | Updated October 2024, 2 hours ago.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as belonging to a broad family of man-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. They were domestically manufactured from 1929 until manufacturing was banned in 1979. While no longer produced in the United States, PCBs may still be present in any of the PCB-containing products manufactured before the ban.
This is a concern because PCBs do not readily break down and can bioaccumulate in living organisms, including humans. PCBs have been identified as probable human carcinogens and may cause a variety of other non-cancer health effects.
Due to their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications. The EPA reports that PCBs were used extensively as coolants in hydraulic systems and as dielectric fluids in electrical equipment as well as many other applications. PCBs were even once used in some paints, mastics, sealants, adhesives, caulking, specialty coatings and fluorescent light ballasts (FLBs).
Regarding fluorescent light ballasts and PCBs, in 2020 EPA published a 5-page information and reference fact sheet on the topic. In it, the agency reports that any FLB manufactured before July 2, 1979, may contain PCBs and that these ballasts commonly contain pure PCB liquid in small (less than two ounces) sealed capacitor(s). PCBs have also been found in FLB “potting material” which is a tar-like filling/packing material inside the metal ballast casing. FLBs that contain PCBs are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Any PCB-containing FLBs that are currently in use have exceeded their designed life span and become a concern if they are leaking. Even intact PCB-containing FLBs may emit small amounts of PCBs into the air during normal use according to the EPA.
These are just a few things to know about the possible presence of PCBs in old fluorescent light ballasts and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other building science, indoor environmental quality, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as belonging to a broad family of man-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. They were domestically manufactured from 1929 until manufacturing was banned in 1979. While no longer produced in the United States, PCBs may still be present in any of the PCB-containing products manufactured before the ban.
This is a concern because PCBs do not readily break down and can bioaccumulate in living organisms, including humans. PCBs have been identified as probable human carcinogens and may cause a variety of other non-cancer health effects.
Due to their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications. The EPA reports that PCBs were used extensively as coolants in hydraulic systems and as dielectric fluids in electrical equipment as well as many other applications. PCBs were even once used in some paints, mastics, sealants, adhesives, caulking, specialty coatings and fluorescent light ballasts (FLBs).
Regarding fluorescent light ballasts and PCBs, in 2020 EPA published a 5-page information and reference fact sheet on the topic. In it, the agency reports that any FLB manufactured before July 2, 1979, may contain PCBs and that these ballasts commonly contain pure PCB liquid in small (less than two ounces) sealed capacitor(s). PCBs have also been found in FLB “potting material” which is a tar-like filling/packing material inside the metal ballast casing. FLBs that contain PCBs are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Any PCB-containing FLBs that are currently in use have exceeded their designed life span and become a concern if they are leaking. Even intact PCB-containing FLBs may emit small amounts of PCBs into the air during normal use according to the EPA.
These are just a few things to know about the possible presence of PCBs in old fluorescent light ballasts and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other building science, indoor environmental quality, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
