tsca

The Use of the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest for Shipments of PCB Waste

The use, storage, and disposal of equipment containing PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) is subject to USEPA regulations in Part 761 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 761); regulations promulgated under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA).  Despite a persistent belief to the contrary:  PCBs are not regulated under RCRA and are not a hazardous waste though they may be regulated as a hazardous waste by state regulations (be sure to check with your state).

Since February 5, 1990 the TSCA regulations of 40 CFR 761 has required generators of PCB waste to use a uniform hazardous waste manifest for its off-site transportation.  The use of the uniform hazardous waste manifest for shipments of PCB waste requires the generator/offeror of the waste to complete it differently than they would for a hazardous waste regulated under RCRA.

The purpose of this article is to identify and explain the requirements of 40 CFR 761.207 for the use of the uniform hazardous waste manifest for the off-site transportation of PCB waste. (more…)

EPA Fines Phoenix Lamp Recycler More Than $70,000 for PCB Violations

News Release:
06/05/2013

For Immediate Release: June 5, 2013

Contact:  Rusty Harris-Bishop, 415-972-3140, harris-bishop.rusty@epa.gov                                                                                                                        

SAN FRANCISCO: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has settled with Lighting Resources, LLC for $71,500 for violations relating to its handling of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) at its Phoenix, Ariz. recycling facility.

“Exposure to PCBs is a concern whenever facilities are handling materials containing these toxic chemicals,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Our goal is to safeguard worker health and nearby communities by ensuring that Lighting Resources takes the necessary steps to improve the safety of their recycling and disposal practices.” 

The facility is permitted under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to manage and store PCB wastes. Separate permits allow the facility to recycle fluorescent lamps and ballasts, batteries, electronic wastes, and mercury devices. The facility also manages non-PCB ballasts, phosphorous powders, aerosol cans, and mercury containing wastes. The company operates facilities in five states and is one of the nation’s largest ballast processors.

EPA inspections in 2008 and 2012 found that the Phoenix facility had not effectively decontaminated its PCB handling area, documented the transport and disposal of PCB-contaminated materials, or properly labeled PCB and hazardous waste containers.

PCBs are man-made organic chemicals used in paints, industrial equipment, plastics, and cooling oil for electrical transformers. More than 1.5 billion pounds of PCBs were manufactured in the United States before the EPA banned the production of this chemical class in 1978, and many PCB-containing materials are still in use today.

When released into the environment, PCBs remain for decades. Tests have shown that PCBs cause cancer in animals and are suspected carcinogens in humans. Acute PCB exposure can also adversely affect the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems as well as liver function. Concerns about human health and the extensive presence and lengthy persistence of PCBs in the environment led Congress to enact TSCA in 1976.

For more information on PCB regulation and enforcement, as well as TSCA enforcement in general, please visit the EPA’s website at:

Also, you may read this earlier article of mine about the presence of PCBs and DEHP in lighting ballast:  Disposal of Lighting Ballast – Consideration of PCBs and DEHP.