What are PCBs?

14/09/2015

EDI_PCB_symbol

Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) is a hazardous chemical compound that belongs to a broad family of man-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons.

PCBs are colorless, liquid and almost odorless liquids and a mixture of chemically very similar compounds with different chlorine content.

PCBs enter in the air, water, and soil during their manufacture, use and disposal.

PCBs can still be released into the environment from hazardous waste sites that contain illegal or inappropriate industrial wastes and consumer products in escaping old transformers containing PCBs disposal and burning certain waste incinerators.

In demolition industry the workers may be exposed to PCB, particularly if the buildings are extremely old.

 

Risks to health

PCBs have the following risks to health:

  • Inhalation, swallowing or absorption through the skin can be harmful to health.
  • Can irritate the respiratory passages, digestive tract, eyes and skin: e.g. burning, tears, itching.
  • Temporary complaints such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite can occur.
  • PCBs can cause health problems such as acne, digestive disorders, liver damage, blood picture changes, mood disorders.
  • PCBs is suspected of having a carcinogenic effect, it can adversely affect reproductive capacity and harm unborn foetuses.

 

Personal protection

 The following items are compulsory for working with PCBs:

  • Eye protection: Glasses,etc
  • Hand protection: Gloves (chemical protective gloves category 3, recognizable due to the CE-mark with four-digit test number).
  • Skin protection: Use grease-free skin protection ointment for all uncovered parts of the body.
  • Breathing protection: Recommended is the use of A2-P3. When exceeding the threshold values for example with full mask: combined filter A2-P2 (brown-white). At higher concentrations, difficult situations and in confined spaces (e.g. pits, shafts and silos) only breathing equipment independent of the surrounding air is to be used.
  • Body protection: (Disposable) chemical protective suit and plastic boots.

 

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