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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC): 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
), 
Third Regular Session 
) , 
9 
DEC -7 ill i : 15 
SENATE 
S,B, No . .3'551 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Polychlorinated Biphenyls or PCBs belong to a broad family of man-made 
organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. They have a range of toxicity and 
, 
vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. Due 
to their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point, and electrical insulating 
properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications 
including electrical, heat transfer" and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints, 
, 
plastics, and rubber products; in pigments, dyes, and carbonless copy paper; and many 
other industrial app lications. 1 
PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects. PCBs 
, 
have been shown to cause cancer in animals. PCBs have also been shown to cause a 
number of serious non-cancer health effects in animals, including effects on the immune 
system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other health effects. 
Studies in humans provide supportive evidence for potential carcinogenic and non-
carcinogenic effects of PCBs. The different health effects of PCBs may be interrelated, as 
alterations in one system may have significant implications for the other systems of the 
body.2 Although they have long been banned globally, PCBs still exist in some structures 
I U,S. Environmental Protection Agency http://www,epa.gov/waste/hazard/tsdlpcbs/pubs/abouthtm 
2 htlp:llwww.epa.gov/waste/hazardltsd/pcbs/pubs/effects.htm#NonCancer 


and products. This bill seeks to reglllate the disposal and handling of the remaining PCBs 
to protect us from the health risks it still poses. 
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2 
3 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) . 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
9 
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SENATE 
S.B. No. 3;551 . 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF 
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
~; .. 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be referred to as the "PCB Regulation 
5 
Act of2009." 
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SECTION 2. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
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mean: 
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(A) "PCB" and "PCBs" refer to any chemIcal substance that is limited to the 
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biphenyl molecule that has been chlotinated to varying degrees or any 
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combination of substances which contains such substance; 
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(B) "PCB-Contaminated Electrical Equipment" means any electrical equipment 
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including, but not limited to, transformers (including those used in railway 
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locomotives and self-propelled cars), capacitors, circuit breakers, reclosers, 
14 
voltage regulators, switches (including· sectionalizers and motor starters), 
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electromagnets, and cable, that contains PCBs at concentrations of = 50 ppm 
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and < 500 ppm in the contaminating fluid. 
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(C) "PCB household waste" means PCB waste that is generated by residents on 
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the premises of a temporary or permanent residence for individuals (including 
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individually owned or rented units of a multi-unit construction), and that is 
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composed primarily of materials found in wastes generated by consnmers in 
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their homes. PCB household waste includes unwanted or discarded non-
.' 
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commercial vehicles (prior to shredding), household items, and appliances or 


appliance parts and wastes generated on the premises of a residence for 
2 
individuals as a result of routine househol~ maintenance by or on behalf of the 
3 
resident. 
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SECTION 3. Disposal Requirements. -
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(A) PCB liquids at concentrations =50 ppm m,ust be disposed of in an incinerator; 
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(B) For mineral oil dielectric fluid, in a high e,fficiency boiler; 
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(C) For liquids other than mineral oil dielectric fluid, in a high efficiency boiler; 
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(D) For liquids from incidental sources, such as precipitation, condensation, 
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leachate or load separation and are associated with PCB Articles or non-liquid 
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PCB wastes, in a chemical waste landfill; 
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(E) For purposes of complying with the marking and disposal requirements, 
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representative samples .may be taken from either the common containers or 
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the individual electrical equipment to determine the PCB concentration. 
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Except, That if any PCBs at a concentration of 500 ppm or greater have been 
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added to the container or equipment then the total container contents must be 
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considered as having a PCB concentration of 500 ppm or greater for purposes 
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of complying with the disposal requirements of this Act; 
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(F) Any person conducting the chemical analysis of PCBs shall do so using gas 
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chromatography. Any gas chromatographic method that is appropriate for the 
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material being analyzed may be used. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any. part or provision of this Act is held 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof shall remain valid and 
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effective. 
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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws;' decrees, orders, proclamations, rules 
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and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with ihe provisions of this Act are hereby 
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repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 


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SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
2 
from its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,