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Some technical issues in managing PCBs

  • PCB mixtures in a complex world
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Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were important industrial chemicals featuring high thermal and chemical stability and low flammability. They were widely used as dielectric and thermal fluid in closed electro-technical applications (transformers, capacitors…) and also in numerous dispersive uses, ranking from auto-copying paper to sealant or coatings. During the 1960s, severe environmental consequences started becoming apparent. The stability of PCBs contributed to their persistence in the environment, their lipophilic character to bio-magnification. Fish-eating species seemed threatened in their existence. In Japan and in Taiwan, thousands of people consumed PCB-contaminated oil. The production of PCBs stopped completely during the 1980s. Usage could continue in closed applications only. In this paper, particular attention is given to two issues: the cleaning of PCB electric transformers and the potential impact of PCB-containing building materials. Other contributions will cover the management and treatment of PCB-contaminated soil, sludge or fly ash. The complete survey is being prepared by request of the Knowledge Center for Engineers and Professionals.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program) (no.2011CB201500) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (no. 2009AA061304).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China

    Zhifu Qi, Alfons Buekens, Jie Liu, Tong Chen, Shengyong Lu, **aodong Li & Kefa Cen

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  1. Zhifu Qi
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  2. Alfons Buekens
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  3. Jie Liu
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  4. Tong Chen
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  5. Shengyong Lu
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Correspondence to Alfons Buekens.

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Qi, Z., Buekens, A., Liu, J. et al. Some technical issues in managing PCBs. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 6448–6462 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1926-0

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