PCBs

["Susan K. Snow" <sksnow@1stnet.com>]

"Demolition workers, electricians, appliance service workers, cleaners 
and firefighters, workers involved in cleaning up spills or in servicing 
or dismantling transformers and capacitors, and power station workers" as 
well as "members of the public" are warned that they "may be affected by 
leaks and spills from materials containing PCB. The most common being 
from fluorescent lights and ceiling fans" by a health and safety bulletin 
from the Western Australia government.

The pamphlet says, "A broad range of health problems have been reported 
in workers exposed to PCB. These health effects increase with the 
concentration of PCB and the length of exposure.

PCB exposure can cause:-

- Severe skin rashes and skin discolourisation.
- Liver damage.
- Respiratory disorders.
- Thyroid gland disorders.
- Muscle and joint pain.
- Headaches.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
- PCB is a proven animal carcinogen and is suspected of causing
  cancer in humans.

- PCB has caused reproductive problems in animal tests, these
  include increased spontaneous abortion rates, still births,
  underweight births and decreased post natal survival."

Among other things, the pamphlet lists some of the trade names for PCB 
compounds as:

Askarel, Chlorinated biphenol, Chlorinated diphenyl, Chlorinal, Diachlor,
Dykanol, DK, Fencholor, Inerteen, Kanechlor, Montar, NO-Flamol, PCB,
Polychlorinated biphenols, Phenochlor, Pyranol, Santotherm, Therminol.

See: http://www.allette.com.au/worksafe/pamphlet/p/001418.htm

Another bulletin says: "If you have PCB's or material or solvent 
contaminated by PCB's ready for disposal, contact - the appropriate State
   authority for Waste disposal who will arrange for the
   special incineration of the material so as to ensure that it
   cannot enter the food chain. Ordinary incinerators are NOT
   effective."

http://www.allette.com.au/worksafe/pamphlet/p/000032.htm

It's my understanding that burning/incineration/thermal oxidation of PCBs 
creates chlorinated dibenzo-furans, a dioxin TEQ.  Therefore, instead of 
destroying the PCBs, they are transformed into another chlorinated 
persistent organic pollutant that contaminates the food chain.  The 
liability issue is the only thing destroyed.

Susan Snow