PCB Ballast

Health Communication for Safe Handling

Where Are They Found?

• “Aroclor” is found in oil up to 1 teaspoon per ballast. Comes as PCB-42 or PCB-54.

• Assume unlabeled ballast do contain PCB

• TSCA mandated labeling in 1979, some unlabeled ballast are still around.

• Non-leaking ballast are of less concern than leaking ballast, but always wear gloves.

Why Are They Used?

• PCB is heat stable.

• PCB is a strong insulator.

• PCB is not very volatile.

• PCB is easy to manipulate.

• TSCA “Cradle to Grave” Rule in 1979.

• TSCA required “No PCBs” label for ease.

Health Training

Employers are required to inform the workers of the potential hazard. OSHA "Hazard

Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, makes it clear that “employers

must have information programs for hazardous chemicals that are "present for a

long period of time without employee exposure until repair ... activities are

performed."

Common Health Effects• Chloracne and fingernail discoloration.

• Skin and mucous membrane inflammation.

• Swollen eyelids, excessive eye discharge and burning eyes.

• Burning and edema of the face and hands.

• Acute contact dermatitis.

• Chronic absorption cause fatty degeneration of the liver.

“SKIN” Designation

• It is critically important to maintain a strong hygiene program, use proper PPE and be very thorough with clean-up.

• PCBs will travel through you skin and enter your body.

• PCBs will also cause localized health effects at the point of contamination.

Airborne Issues

Airborne exposures from leaking ballast are of less concern than skin contact because the vapor pressures at 20 C are between 0.000006 and 0.004 milligrams per cubic

meter (mg/m3).

EPA PCB Site

Air Exposure Limits

• OSHA uses 0.5 mg/m3 for PCB-42

• OSHA uses 1.0 mg/m3 for PCB-54

• ACGIH uses the same levels.

• OR-OSHA uses the same levels.

• NIOSH uses “CA 0.001mg/m3” for both.

* All agencies consider this chemical a “SKIN” designation.

Is He Safe to Work?

Protective Equipment Code

Where leaks are likely to exist, 29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(4) requires employers to

prevent worker exposure through the use of gloves, other appropriate personal

protective equipment, engineering controls or work practices.

Chronic Health Effects

• Chronic = long term.

• Evidence of skin cancer.

• Evidence of liver cancer.

• Respiratory Tract Irritation.

• Gastrointestinal Problems.

• Bioaccummulation: builds up along the food chain; builds up in organic tissue.

Emergency Response

• Eye exposure or skin exposure.

• It is critical to maintain eyewash and hand wash stations close to workers.

• Maintain a change-out area: avoid “tracking” oil in an emergency.

• Wash, wash, wash….ER will wash eyes and skin as well.

Project Assessment

Project Assessment

• How many will be removed?

• What style and age are they?

• What PPE do I need?

• Do I have a disposal plan?

• What are the health effects associated with my task?

SKIN Designation

• It is critically important to maintain a strong hygiene program, use proper PPE and be very thorough with clean-up.

• PCBs will travel through you skin and enter your body.

• PCBs will also cause localized health effects at the point of contamination.

Plan Your Storage: Handle Ballast Once!

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

& PCB CONTAINING LIGHT BALLASTS

PCB’s Have a Low Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

• Occupational exposure limits for PCB’s is extremely low.

• A grain of sand, the size of the period at the end of a sentence is about 40 times the allowable occupational exposure limit.

Routes of Exposure

• Since PCB’s can enter the body through:

– skin contact– by inhalation of vapors– by ingestion

• Personal Protective Equipment usage is required.

Skin Problems

• There is a “skin designation” for PCB’s in the Oregon OSHA regulations.

• Requiring employers to prevent skin exposure.

Working with Light Ballasts

• Assume that all ballasts contain PCB’s unless they are labeled “NO PCBs.”

Personal Protective Equipment Standard: 1910.132-138

PPE Workplace Hazard Assessment

• The assessment requires employers to determine which physical and health hazards require PPE.

• Once the employer assesses the work area, they must then select appropriate PPE for employees.

PPE

• Must be provided at no cost to employees.

• Employees may use their own PPE, but it should be approved by a management representative first.

• Employer must ensure PPE is maintained, or if not possible, it must replaced.

PPE Training

• The employer must provide employees with training on: – When PPE is required– What PPE is required – How to use PPE – How to care for PPE– How to store PPE

PPE Records

• Employer must maintain records of your workplace assessment and training.

Coveralls

• Should be made of chemically resistant materials such as Tyvek.

• Inner garments may be worn inside the coveralls.

• Should dispose of inside garments after use because small amounts of contaminates may be transferred when removing outer garments.

Gloves & Boots

• Should be made of neoprene, nitrile, butyl rubber, viton, or other material shown to be resistant to permeation by PCB’s and any solvents used during cleanup.

Eye Protection

• The PPE hazard assessment should address employee eye protection.

• Recommendation for adequate eye protection may include:– Safety glasses– Goggles– Face shields

Respiratory Protection Program

Those involved in cleanup operations must be part of a respiratory protection program which, at a minimum, meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134.

Respiratory Program

The program should include training of workers regarding:

Proper use Fit testing Inspection Maintenance Medical evaluation Cleaning of respirators

Respirator Program

Each program should be evaluated regularly

Employers are required to evaluate potential exposures and provide appropriate respiratory protection devices

Physical Contact

• If skin contact occurs wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water.

• If eye contact occurs immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes.

• If breathing contact occurs they should be removed from the area and taken to the emergency room.

Decontamination and Worker Protection Programs

• In general, decontamination procedures must provide an organized process in which the extent and degree of contamination are systematically reduced.

Decontamination

• Personnel decontamination locations should be physically separated from the contaminated area(s) to prevent cross-contact and should be arranged in order of decreasing level of contamination.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER...

• Medical Surveillance- may be necessary to prevent (or attempt to detect at an early stage) adverse health effects in workers resulting from exposure to PCB’s.

• Lock-out/Tag-out- need to have a program in place whenever working with energized equipment.

• Ballasts which are leaking or catch fire- Evacuate the area immediately to prevent accidental exposure through touching or breathing in fumes from the leak. Call 911.