Re: PCB's in Cables?.

[Byron Bodo <bodo@interlog.com>]

At 03:01 AM 05/01/99 -0500, Victor Zdanowicz-Muchlado wrote:
>
>Hello everyone, I've actually been subscribed to dioxin-l for a while, and
>seldom post messages, but I have a question.
>
>I belong to a group which explores disused buildings, power stations,
>tunnels etc (check our web page if you're interested
>www.caveclan.org/sydney). Anyway recently we discovered a disused cable
>tunnel originating at a disused powerstation. We walked the tunnel which
>was flooded, with the water being from 40cm to about 1.5m deep. 
>
>Now i'm just thinking what possible dangers this may pose?. Can one smell
>PCB's?. What do they look like? Were they ever used in high voltage cables
>or just transformers?. 

Back in the days of open system usage [roughly to the mid-70s or so] PCBs
were used in wire & cable coatings/coverings, and in caulking compounds and
sealants
that were often used to seal joints on concrete & other structures.  I
wouldn't
consider incidental physical contact with either to pose much threat.
Otherwise,
it's hard to say without making direct measurements.

-bb