- Author
-
Millar, J. D.
- Title
- NIOSH Testimony on Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB's): Manufacture, Processing, Distribution in Commerce and use Prohibitions: Use in Transformers.
- Coporate
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
-
polychlorinated biphenyls
|
manufacturing
|
transformers
|
electrical equipment
|
hydrocarbons
|
fire safety
- Identifiers
- liver-cancer; chlorinated hydrocarbons; environmental contamination
- Abstract
- This testimony concerns the investigation by NIOSH of several fires involving transformers containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). One such fire occurred at the First National Bank Building in Chicago, Illinois and another in an office building in Binghamton, New York. Since 1981, NIOSH has investigated more than 15 incidents involving electrical equipment containing PCBs. NIOSH contends that the elimination of PCBs from transofrmers will provide the most effective long term solution to the problem. While the proposed rule of the Environmental Protection Agency is sound, some clarification of the information concerning those incidents which NIOSH investigated is required. Topics covered in this testimony include indoor fires, firefighter exposures, outdoor fires, vaporization of PCB's from transformers, registration with fire departments, and the notification of the National Spill Response Center.