Identification of PCB-Containing Capacitors - COAG Standing ...

IDENTIFICATION OFPCB-CONTAINING CAPACITORS65Requirements forPCB Storage and DisposalAfter Australian and New Zealand Environment andConservation Council (ANZECC) endorsement in November1995, Commonwealth, State and Territory governmentsagreed to adopt the PCB Management Plan, either as amanagement guideline or as the basis for their regulations.Regulations concerning PCBs were under review by severaljurisdictions at the time of writing this document (mid 1997).Several States have indicated that new legislation on thehandling and disposal of PCBs and PCB-contaminatedcontainers is expected to be passed by their parliaments bythe end of 1997.It is advisable to check the current regulations in effect withthe authority responsible for environmental protection in yourState or Territory. Contact details are listed in Appendix II. Therequirements listed below are those in effect at the time ofpublication.5.1 STORAGE REQUIREMENTS — ALL STATESAND TERRITORIESPCB containing equipment (capacitors, ballasts, etc.) is to beplaced in a polyethylene bag which then is to be placed in asealable metal container. This container must be clearlymarked with the details of the contents and must bemaintained in good order (that is, no visible signs of damageor corrosion). If some of these materials are leaking, thecontainer should be partially filled with an absorbent material,such as a commercial absorbent, kitty litter or a diatomaceousearth. The plastic wrapped leaking components can then beplaced in the container.If PCBs cannot be transported immediately for disposal, allcontainers are to be stored in an area that prevents anydischarge of the PCBs to the environment (no drains and thearea must contain any leaks) and the area must be securefrom unauthorised entry. The containers should be stored in aseparate location, well away from any flammable liquids andfrom food storage and preparation areas. PCB containingmaterial should be disposed of as soon as possible; however,if PCBs are to be stored for an extended period, they shouldbe raised off the floor to avoid corrosion of the bottom of thecontainer.If 10 kg or more of this waste requires storage ortransportation, the State regulatory body must be notified ofthe quantity, location and type of material.NOTE: When advising waste contractors of the material whichmust be transported or disposed, you should assume thatcapacitors contain PCBs above the threshold concentrationfor scheduled PCBs in the PCB Management Plan (ie. greaterthan 50 milligrams/kilogram). In cases where PCBconcentrations are unknown, the following general rulesshould be adopted:• absorbent material used to clean up spills from capacitorsalso contains more than 50 milligrams/kilogram PCB;• kerosene or solvent used to wash PCB-contaminatedequipment contains more than 50 milligrams/kilogramof PCB;