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Registered Member #2463
Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546
I dont think you could even move that unit without a certificate that guaranetted that it had been tested for PCB traces. They all got cross contanimated back then by the roving transformer oil cleaning rigs in the days when both PCB and non PCB ones were common. Where I worked, a flatbed dropped one when the roadbed caved in and the cooling system got smashed. We ended up with about 100 containers of earth stored in a special compound on site for years before they allowed it to be shipped to destruction facility in another province.
Registered Member #3429
Joined: Sun Nov 21 2010, 02:04AM
Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 288
radiotech wrote ...
I dont think you could even move that unit without a certificate that guaranetted that it had been tested for PCB traces. They all got cross contanimated back then by the roving transformer oil cleaning rigs in the days when both PCB and non PCB ones were common. Where I worked, a flatbed dropped one when the roadbed caved in and the cooling system got smashed. We ended up with about 100 containers of earth stored in a special compound on site for years before they allowed it to be shipped to destruction facility in another province.
You're right about the possible PCB in the oil. I used to work on older (1960's and 1970's) X-ray tube heads, which may or may not contained oil with PCB. After a short time doing that (with protective gloves of course) I quit working on the older heads, and I now work on heads that were made in the late 1980's and newer. Most of the newer heads contain either Shell Diala AX, or something similar, which is very safe to handle. As far as I know, the power utility companies still use oil with PCB in their transformers and circuit breakers. NASTY STUFF!
Registered Member #3610
Joined: Thu Jan 13 2011, 03:29AM
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 506
From what I've read, PCBs are not terribly toxic. The problem is that they are very stable compounds so once they get into the ground, they don't decompose and eventually can contaminate the water supply. I would certainly avoid coming into contact with the stuff any more than I had to, but I think the hysteria surrounding it is a bit much. The oil can be incinerated, although there is all sorts of red tape involved in doing it legally.
Registered Member #1408
Joined: Fri Mar 21 2008, 03:49PM
Location: Oracle, AZ
Posts: 679
Is there any simplistic test for PCB's? I would imagine that a concept of production date would be one of the simplist methods to get started but any other ideas from a "borderline" dated unit?
Registered Member #3414
Joined: Sun Nov 14 2010, 05:05PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4245
quicksilver wrote ...
Is there any simplistic test for PCB's? I would imagine that a concept of production date would be one of the simplist methods to get started but any other ideas from a "borderline" dated unit?
If I remember correctly, PCBs are denser than water.
The easiest way to test for PCBs is to drop some of the suspect oil into water and see if it floats or sinks.
The second easiest way is to weigh a known volume and do the maths.
EDIT: "The density varies from 1.182 to 1.566 kg/L"
Registered Member #2893
Joined: Tue Jun 01 2010, 09:25PM
Location: Cali-forn. i. a.
Posts: 2242
James wrote ...
From what I've read, PCBs are not terribly toxic. The problem is that they are very stable compounds so once they get into the ground, they don't decompose and eventually can contaminate the water supply. I would certainly avoid coming into contact with the stuff any more than I had to, but I think the hysteria surrounding it is a bit much. The oil can be incinerated, although there is all sorts of red tape involved in doing it legally.
This man speaks the truth. I've had my arm dunked in PCB oil before without any ill effect.
Registered Member #3637
Joined: Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:07PM
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1068
Grenadier wrote ...
James wrote ...
From what I've read, PCBs are not terribly toxic. The problem is that they are very stable compounds so once they get into the ground, they don't decompose and eventually can contaminate the water supply. I would certainly avoid coming into contact with the stuff any more than I had to, but I think the hysteria surrounding it is a bit much. The oil can be incinerated, although there is all sorts of red tape involved in doing it legally.
This man speaks the truth. I've had my arm dunked in PCB oil before without any ill effect.
Registered Member #2099
Joined: Wed Apr 29 2009, 12:22AM
Location: Los Altos, California
Posts: 1716
quicksilver wrote ...
Is there any simplistic test for PCB's? I would imagine that a concept of production date would be one of the simplist methods to get started but any other ideas from a "borderline" dated unit?
There's a complication, because cross-contamination is economically unavoidable in electric power maintenance yards and trucks. So the "no PCB's" label actually means PCB level is lower than 50 ppm (or is it total chlorine < 50 ppm?)
There are easy-to-use test kits for PCB's in oil samples and soil samples. Don't be put off by the price in catalogs like: I think you can get the same kits (as well as shovels, McLeod's, and spools of chainsaw chain) at forestry suppliers such as
Registered Member #3610
Joined: Thu Jan 13 2011, 03:29AM
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 506
Grenadier wrote ...
James wrote ...
From what I've read, PCBs are not terribly toxic. The problem is that they are very stable compounds so once they get into the ground, they don't decompose and eventually can contaminate the water supply. I would certainly avoid coming into contact with the stuff any more than I had to, but I think the hysteria surrounding it is a bit much. The oil can be incinerated, although there is all sorts of red tape involved in doing it legally.
This man speaks the truth. I've had my arm dunked in PCB oil before without any ill effect.
Just because you haven't noticed any ill effect doesn't mean that it's harmless. While I think the hysteria over things like PCBs, mercury, asbestos, etc is far in excess of the actual danger, that doesn't mean the substances are harmless. I don't worry about having or working with PCB containing items but I would avoid getting any on my skin and wash it off right away if I did.
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Anyone want a really BIG HV transformer? :)
