PCBs, (Polychlorinated biphenyls) are man-made organic chemicals that were manufactured from 1929 - 1979 when they were banned because of concerns that they cause serious health consequences.
Commonly associated with old transformers and electrical equipment, PCBs were also used in a variety of building materials: caulk, grout, paint, adhesives, fiberglass and foam rubber insulation, ceiling tiles, roofing and waterproofing materials, and HVAC gaskets.
Considered an environmental pollutant, PCBs can migrate to surrounding building materials and soil. The presence of PCBs at concentrations above 50 ppm, which is common for caulking, requires decontamination and/or remediation.
In planning a redevelopment project, developers and building owners often assume asbestos containing materials to be present, but now should also consider sampling for PCBs and other toxic substances prior to purchasing a property or redeveloping a building site. If PCBs are discovered during the demolition process, remediation performed by a qualified contractor will allow further development of the property.
With a vast portfolio of successfully completed projects, TMC helps real estate developers and property owners deal with PCB impacted sites. Whether PCBs are found in buildings, waterways, soil or elsewhere, TMC provides efficient and cost-effective solutions to clean up properties and remove contaminated debris. Here are just a couple of examples:
Multi-Phase PCB Remediation: TMC was contracted to perform remediation at both the top and along the entire exterior face of a dam to remove PCB impacted caulking and clean the granite surface. The project also involved the removal of mineral deposits, vegetation, and soil contaminated with PCBs. Utilizing innovative techniques and methodologies for containment and cleaning, TMC's team of hazmat trained experts was able to deliver substantial savings in both time and money.
PCB Decontamination & Soil Removal: To limit disruption to the facilities' operations and a new building construction site, TMC developed and implemented a cost-saving solution to remove hazardous PCB contaminated soil from the site. TMC removed over 3,600 tons of contaminated soil for transportation and disposal to a hazardous waste facility and successfully met all deadlines. The project also required hazmat trained crews to install underground utilities and perform site work and restoration.
To learn more about PCBs, please plan to attend the upcoming EBC seminar: Managing PCBs in Building Materials. To be held March 30 from 7:30 AM - noon at Northeast Utilities, 107 Seldon Street, Berlin, CT. Go to www.ebcne.org to register.
Dean Soultanian, Director of Proposal Development, TMC Services, Inc.