Re: X-Ray Transformer VERY Scarred!

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: DRIEBEN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Greg, all,

AMEN!!! I don't think I could express my own sentiments
regarding the PCB issue any better than Greg has. Bottom
line- PCBs are so demonized mainly because of their very
slow bio-degredation. The chlorine molecule makes it very
stable even at the relatively high temperature environment
of a heavily loaded transformer or capacitor and this is
what makes it "stick around" in the environment for many,
many years once released into it. I'd be much more concerned
with the damage that the EPA would do to my personal fi-
nances if they found out that I had it than I would be about
the personal health risk of acute exposure to the PCBs them-
selves :^O

David Rieben

----- Original Message -----
From: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Monday, May 2, 2005 11:56 am
Subject: Re: X-Ray Transformer VERY Scarred!

> Original poster: Gregory Hunter <tesla_39560@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> I'm not a chemist nor am I a physician, but I think
> the health risks of PCBs have been greatly overblown.
> You should not take a bath in PCB oil nor should you
> drink it. If you handle it with the same respect you
> extend to gasoline, drain opener, bleach, bug spray,
> ammonia, and the dozens of other truly dangerous
> chemicals in your household, you should be safe
> enough.
>
> A little PCB splashed on your skin may cause a rash
> but more likely will have no effect at all. Don't pour
> it in the storm drain or flush it down the toilet.
> Don't try to bury it in the back yard. The best place
> for it is right where it is--inside the transformer
> can!
>
> If you call a hazmat disposal service, your county
> agent, or any agent of government, you will probably
> regret it. A government bureaucracy with an inflexible
> set of rules and an irrational fear of PCBs really is
> something to be afraid of. If it turns out to be PCB
> they will put your life in a blender over nothing. If
> I were in your situation I would just clam up.
>
> Clean up your little spill the same way you would
> clean up spilled motor oil. Get a sheet of cork or
> neoprene gasket material at an auto parts store and
> replace the crumbly gasket. Keep the transformer fluid
> right inside the transformer doing what it has been
> doing so well for the past 30-40 years. If anyone
> asks, it is "mineral oil"! And who knows? Maybe that's
> all it is!
>
> My $0.02 worth,
>
> Greg
>
> --- Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Original poster: "Daniel Koll"
> > <dk_spl_audio@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> >
> > I was going to take out those rectifiers in my x-ray
> > transformer and
> > thought of something.  Do you think this can contain
> > PCBs?  I got the cover
> > off and the oil (or PCBs) splashed a little and got
> > on my hands and
> > face.  The smell was pungent but not overwhelming.
> > I started to feel sick
> > breathing it in.
> > The color is about the same as new motor oil.  I can
> > almost see to the
> > bottom (it is about 12" tall)  I am now very scarred
> > and have not touched
> > it since the thought came to my mind.  What could
> > happen?  Is there a way
> > to tell if it is PCBs?  The thing is probably around
> > 35-40 years
> > old.  There is no markings of any kind on the case.
> >
> > I have some other question too but the above is my
> > main concern.  First, if
> > some oil drips out is that ok?  It was so full that
> > when I took the lid off
> > some poured out.  Second, it had a cork type gasket
> > and it is now broken
> > up, what should I do to make sure it is completely
> > sealed again?  Thanks
> >
> >
> >