PCBs in Caulk in Older Buildings IPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)1 US.EPA Page 1 of 4

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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PCBs in Caulk in Older Building..;:;.s _

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.. Ov~[vieyy

·l3ackground

.. Firsts tep-'-:~gJ<e SJ.slP~..t~jnjm ize EXPOSLLC~

.. Testing

.. SchQpls InfQLQJgtion Kit

.. Information for .c:ontractQIs-'f\lprking_h.Qldex BuildinQ.s

.. AddiJiona.LlnfQ[matlQn

.. Where Can I G~t M_ore InfocmatiQn?

Overview

In recent years, EPA has learned that caulk containing

potentially harmful PQ!.)tchlorim':'!tedJ:11pheJl'ils..(PC6_s.J was used

in many buildlnqs, including schools, in the 1950s through the

1970s. In general, schools and bulldinqs built after 1978 do

not contain PCBs in caulk. On September 25, 2009, EPA

announced new guidance for school administrators and

bulldinq managers with important information about managing

PCBs in caulk and tools to help minimize possible exposure.

Through EPA's R~gional PCI2....CoordinClJors, the Agency will also

assist communities in identifying potential problems and, if

necessary, developing plans for PCB testing and removal. The

Agency has prepared a a Eact S.heet(PDF} (2 pp, 26K) and

Q1Lestion.s.and AnsW.l=rs D?J2D (11 pp, 63K) on this

announcement.

PCBs in Caulk Hotline

For additional information call

1-888-835-5372

Important Resources

Find your EPA Regional PCB

Coordinator

Preventing Exposure to PCBs

in Caulking Material (PDF) (4

pp, 1.0MB) II en Espafiol (PDF)

(4 pp, 3291<)

Schools Information Kit (PDF)

(3 pp, 289K)

Contractors Handling PCBs in

Caulk During Renovation

(PDF) (4 pp, 1.9MB) II en

Espafiol (PDF) (4 pp, 304K)

Research on PCBs in Caulk

(PDF) (2 pp, 211<)

Public Health Levels for PCBs

in Indoor School Air (PDF) (2

pp, 14K)

The EPA also announced additional research into this issue. There are several unresolved

scientific questions that must be better understood to assess the magnitude of the problem

and identify the best long-term solutions. For example, the link between the concentrations

of PCBs in caulk and PCBs in the air or dust is not well understood. The Agency is doing

research to determine the sources and levels of PCBs in schools and to evaluate different

strategies to reduce exposures. The results of this research will be used to provide further

guidance to schools and building owners as they develop and implement long-term solutions.

Read more about Research on PCBs in Caulk. II PDF_version (2 pp, 21K)

EPA has calculated prudent public health levels that maintain PCB exposures below the

"reference dose" - the amount of PCB exposure that EPA does not believe will cause harm.

Read PubJic Health Levels for PCBs in Indoor School Air II PDF \,ersiQn (2 PP, 14K).

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PCBs in Caulk in Older Buildings IPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)1 US EPA

Background

Page 2 of 4

Caulk is a flexible material used to seal gaps to make windows, door frames, masonry and

joints in buildinqs and other structures watertight or airtight. At one time caulk was

manufactured to contain PCBs because PCBs imparted flexibility.

First Step: Take Steps to Minimize Exposure

Although this is a serious issue, the potential presence of PCBs in schools and buildings

should not be a cause for alarm. If your school or building was built or renovated between

1950 and 1978, there are several immediate, relatively low cost steps schools can take to

reduce potential exposure until it can be determined with certainty if PCBs are present in

caulk used in the building and any contaminated caulk can be removed. Those steps include:

• Improve ventilation, including opening windows and using or installing fans where

possible.

" Clean frequently to reduce dust and residue inside buildings.

• Use a wet or damp cloth or mop to clean surfaces.

" Use vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.

Do not sweep with dry brooms; minimize the use of dusters.

• Wash children's hands with soap and water often, particularly before eating.

• Wash children's toys often.

" Wash hands with soap and water after cleaning, and before eating or drinking.

EPA also has developed an informational brochure to provide the general public with

important information on PCBs in bulldinq caulk, Prevsmt1ng_E~QQ~_uretQE~6~jDJ:_c:;HJJkLog

I''tc:;ttE;ILill II PJ2[yeIsJ9_O, EPA Publication EPA-747-F-09-005 (4 pp, 2.7MB).

Testing

Air

If school administrators and bulldlnq owners are concerned about potential PCBs in the caulk,

they should consider testing to determine if PCBs are present in the air. If testing reveals

PCB levels above the levels EPA has determined to be safe, schools should attempt to identify

any potential sources of PCBs that may be present in the buildinq, including testing samples

of caulk and looking for other potential PCB sources (e.g., old transformers, capacitors, or

, fluorescent light ballasts that might still be present at the school).

If elevated air levels of PCBs are found, schools should also have the ventilation system

evaluated to determine if it is contaminated with PCBs. Although the ventilation system is

unlikely to be an original source of PCB contamination, it may have been contaminated

before other sources of PCBs were removed from the school and may be contributing to

elevated air levels. Contaminated ventilation systems should be carefully cleaned. Ideally,

such cleaning should be planned in concert with removal of any sources of PCBs that are

found to avoid re-contamination of the system.

During the search for potential sources, schools should be especially vigilant in implementing

practices to minimize exposures and should retest to determine whether those practices are

reducing PCB air levels.

Other Sources/ Including Caulk

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PCBs in Caulk in Older Buildings I Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)1 US EPA Page 3 of 4

Should those practices not reduce exposure, caulk and other known sources of PCBs should

be removed as soon as practicable. Caulk that is peeling, brittle, cracking or deteriorating

visibly will have the highest potential for release of PCBs into air. EPA recommends that

deteriorating caulk be tested directly for the presence of PCBs and removed if PCBs are

present at significant levels.

Where schools or other buildings were constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978,

EPA recommends that PCB-containing caulk be removed during planned renovations and

repairs (when replacing windows, doors, roofs, ventilation, etc.) It is critically important to

assure that PCBs are not released to air during replacement or repair of caulk in affected

bulldlnqs, Assessment of the ventilation system for potential contamination, proper cleanlnq

when required, and isolation of the system to prevent further contamination are also

important.

Test Methods

For determining the presence of PCBs in indoor air, EPA has two approved methods:

.. CompendlulD__Of Metho_ds_fo_r the DetecminatiQn_of Toxic._Qrgflnic Compounds_JH

AmbieIILAir - CQlDPemtium f'-'LethQ<;LIO-4A_CbigJLaiCY_QlumeLCEIdD (53 pp. 665K)

e CQmp~ndi~m_QLf'\'lethodsJQrJbe Det~~mLt1ation oLIQX1~I9i3Jlj~ Compounds in

Ambient AiL:_~ompendLumMethod IQ:_JOA UQW~jLyolurDeL(PDF) (37 pp, 288K).

EPA recommends that deteriorating caulk be tested directly for the presence of PCBs and

removed if PCBs are present at significant levels. The PCB regulations provide appropriate

methods for testing. More information on these procedures can be found at:

.. Test Metho_Qs_Jor EVql!J_aring Solid Wi:lste, Ph'y'sj~f1JLChemi~al Methods,_SW-846

.. Wipe SjHnpling~CEQ£J (31 pp, 86K)

Contact EPA's PCBs in Caulk Hotline at 1-888-835-5372 or the .EPA RegiQDi3J PCB__Coordin_(JJ;Q[

for your state for assistance and help in finding a chemical analysis laboratory in your area.

Schools Information Kit

AS_chQols InformaJiQ-D Kit provides information for parents, students and staff about PCBs in

caulk, including:

.. .G~neral infu-l"m(JJiQD on PCS-sJn clder.scbools anQ~Qu.ilding_s II PDF ver_sion (l pg, 162K)

II en EsppJjoL(PDF) (1 pg, 186K)

.. Schools _~becklist II EIdLyersion (1 pg, 414K) II en ~a5QJ (PDF) (l pg, 160K)

• What to say_to children about PCBs II PDF verstcn (1 pp, 432K) II 5ill-J::_spanol CEQf} (i

pg, 177K)

Information for Contractors Working in Older Buildings

Read contractors HqJldling PCBs in Caulk During Renovation II PDF version, EPA Publication

EPA-747-F-09-004 (4 pp, 1.9MB), EPA's qutdance to contractors and maintenance personnel

working in older bulldinqs that may contain PCB-contaminated caulk.

Additional Information

Additional EPA brochures and fact sheets on best practices for addressing PCBs in caulk:

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PCBs in Caulk in Older Buildings IPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)1 US EPA

.. fact Sheet: Interim_f'1~gSJjI~;d..Q[R~glJs::lngJ:SJsk and Taking Action to Reduce

EXQos_IJ[~.s III?QE.Y~I.sjQn (4 PPr 45 K)

Page 4 of 4

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BIJLli:l in.gJ'VlgterjgJs II EQLveIsi0.11 (2 PPr 69K)

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Where Can I Get More Information?

For more information on how to properly test for and address PCBs in caulk, call the EPA's

PCBs in Caulk Hotline at 1-888-835-5372 or contact the~P8g~glQn_ClLEC_6J:QQI9Lngt9Ifor

your state.

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