PCBs in Caulk in Older Buildings

Overview
In recent years, EPA has learned that caulk containing potentially harmful polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was used in many buildings, including schools, in the 1950s through the 1970s. In general, schools and buildings built after 1978 do not contain PCBs in caulk. On September 25, 2009, EPA announced new guidance for school administrators and building managers with important information about managing PCBs in caulk and tools to help minimize possible exposure. Through EPA's Regional PCB Coordinators, 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(2 pp, 23K),--> a Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 26K) and Questions and Answers (PDF) (11 pp, 63K) on this announcement.
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. 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 Public Health Levels for PCBs in Indoor School Air PDF version (2 pp, 14K).
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Background
Caulk is a flexible material used to seal gaps to make windows, door frames, masonry and joints in buildings and other structures watertight or airtight. At one time caulk was manufactured to contain PCBs because PCBs imparted flexibility.
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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 building caulk, Preventing Exposure to PCBs in Caulking Material PDF version, EPA Publication EPA-747-F-09-005 (4 pp, 2.7MB).
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Testing
Air
If school administrators and building 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 building, 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
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 buildings. Assessment of the ventilation system for potential contamination, proper cleaning 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:
Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air - Compendium Method TO-4A (high air volume) (PDF) (53 pp, 665K)
Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air - Compendium Method TO-10A (low air volume) (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 Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, SW-846
Wipe Sampling (PDF) (31 pp, 86K)
Contact EPA's PCBs in Caulk Hotline at 1-888-835-5372 or the EPA Regional PCB Coordinator for your state for assistance and help in finding a chemical analysis laboratory in your area.
Schools Information Kit
A Schools Information Kit provides information for parents, students and staff about PCBs in caulk, including:
General information on PCBs in older schools and buildings PDF version (1 pg, 162K) en Español (PDF) (1 pg, 186K)
Schools checklist PDF version (1 pg, 414K) en Español (PDF) (1 pg, 160K)
What to say to children about PCBs PDF version (1 pp, 432K) en Español (PDF) (1 pg, 177K)
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Information for Contractors Working in Older Buildings
Read Contractors Handling PCBs in Caulk During Renovation PDF version, EPA Publication EPA-747-F-09-004 (4 pp, 1.9MB), EPA's guidance to contractors and maintenance personnel working in older buildings that may contain PCB-contaminated caulk.
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Additional Information
Additional EPA brochures and fact sheets on best practices for addressing PCBs in caulk:
Questions and Answers for the Safe Management of PCBs in Caulking PDF version (2 pp, 220K) -->
Fact Sheet: Testing for PCBs in Buildings PDF version (3 pp, 33K)
Fact Sheet: Interim Measures for Reducing Risk and Taking Action to Reduce Exposures PDF version (4 pp, 45K)
Fact Sheet: Removal and Clean-Up of PCBs in Caulk and PCB-Contaminated Soil and Building Materials PDF version (2 pp, 69K)
Fact Sheet: Disposal Options for PCBs in Caulk and PCB-Contaminated Soil and Building Materials PDF version (4 pp, 32K)