PCB containing equipment is strictly regulated by Environment Canada due to the environmental and health effects.

PCB Containing Equipment

What are the regulatory requirements for Polychlorinated Biphenyls?

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are very persistent both in the environment and in living tissue. Because of concern for the environment and health effects of PCBs, equipment containing PCBs is strictly regulated under the Environment Canada PCB Regulations. Compliance with the federal regulations ensure these key requirements are met:

• End-of-use and end-of-storage of products containing PCBs in a concentration of 500 mg/kg or more by 2009; and of 50 mg/kg or more by 2025
• Storage and labeling requirements
• Identification and testing of PCB containing equipment
• Annual reporting requirements

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How is this applicable at UBC?

All UBC’s activities and operations involving PCBs in electrical equipment are affected by the regulations. Electrical capacitors, lamp ballasts, electrical transformers, electromagnets, heat transfer equipment, hydraulic equipment and vapor diffusion pumps at UBC may use oil containing PCB’s. Specific regulatory requirements must be implemented for the following:

• The ongoing operation, storage, and decommissioning, of equipment containing PCBs
• The disposal of PCBs containing oil, and equipment containing PCBs
• Decommissioning projects involving equipment containing PCBs
• Disposal of light ballasts containing PCBs
• The departments affected by these requirements are: Energy & Water Services Engineering and Utilities Electrical group, Building Operations Waste Management group and Electrical group, Infrastructure Development Project Services, and UBC Properties Trust.
• NOTE: Academic departments that have to dispose of old PCB containing devices must contact ESF to arrange for disposal via an external hazardous waste contractor.

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