Re: Transformer Oil tests for 40PPM for PCB's - Should I be concerned? ? ? (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Bert Hickman by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-net>

Dan,

Transformers that were originally filled with PCB's were done so to
reduce the danger of fire in case of a catastrophic fault. Your
transformer has apparently been flushed and refilled with some type of
solvent-like flammable insulating oil. While some residual PCB's remain,
the current level (~40 PPM), while measurable, shouldn't represent a
hazard to either you or the environment. 

At 40 PPM, your contaminated oil is still below the threshold (50 PPM)
the EPA uses for requiring regulated disposal. Even if your transformer
held 5 gallons of oil, the total residual PCB's would amount to less
than 0.03 Oz. Many hobbyists have capacitors with ounces (or even
pounds) of PCB's sitting on shelves or junk boxes. PCB's are virtually
inert (a property which makes their disposal problematic). Relax - your
small spill should present no risk to you, the environment, or your
vehicle. Shampoo your trunk to clean out any oily residue and (more
importantly) give you some peace of mind.  

Best regards,

-- Bert --   
-- 
Bert Hickman
Stoneridge Engineering
"Electromagically" (TM) Shrunken Coins!
http://www.teslamania-dot-com

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: Tesla List Moderator <mod1-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 17:05:16 -0400
> From: dhmccauley-at-spacecatlighting-dot-com
> To: Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Subject: Transformer Oil tests for 40PPM for PCB's - Should I be
concerned ? ? ?
> 
> Just finished testing my transformer oil with a 50PPM PCB test kit and my
> oil tests positive for about 40 PPM  (whether this is a false positive, who
> knows).
> 
> Initial PCB tests were that the oil floated on water (good indicator not
> PCB) and the oil burned very easily (another good indicator not PCB)
> 
> My question now is that should I be concerned about the oil that spilled in
> my trunk?  About 99% of the oil was soaked up by a carpet back there, and
> there is only a slight film maybe on the spare tire or something.  Nothing
> visible.
> 
> Should i just clean up the trunk with good old soap and water, or should I
> make an appointment with the EPA to declare my trunk as a mobile superfund
> site.
> 
> I'm not too familiar with the scales of contamination.  Maybe 40 PPM is
> extremely small and may only be an indicator that in the past it was filled
> with PCB oil or something.
> 
> What should I do???
> 
> "A Worried Captain Corona"