Re: Photo of my mystery transformer

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "David Rieben" <drieben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Al,

snip>


> Original poster: ashumate3@xxxxxxx
>
> In a message dated 12/1/2006 2:42:53 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> tesla@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
> http://flickr.com/photos/knewter/310977851/in/set-72157594400131325/
>
> And yes it does contain PCB's, I have worked with it before and I've
> noticed no ill effects. The ill effects is mostly hype screamed by a
> bunch of chicken littles who have nothing else better to do with there
lives.

Yes, from what little experienece that I have had with
"what I think was PCBs" I would have to totally agree
with you here. I think I've been in it to with a couple of
old x-ray transformers and that's been a few years ago.
As of today, all of my body parts are still intact ;^) I
think the correlation of it's carcenogenic properties was
based on chronic, occupational exposure, not a few sin-
gle exposure incidents, which would be the category
that the vast majority of us would be in. If you bathed
in PCB oil every day for 30 years, then yea, you might
have something to worry about, but otherwise, I wouldn't
worry about "getting a little on me" if tearing into a suspect
transformer.


However, since the EPA and all of the other "chicken little
groups" don't share this view with us, it would be a good idea
to just keep your mouth shut if you do come across a
transformer or capacitor that you suspect of containing
PCBs, as it can become a very hellish nightmare of redtape &
expense to dispose of PCBs LEGALLY.  That's the main reason
that I now choose to avoid old, pre-1977 oil-filled electrical
gear like the plague, NOT because I'm scared that touching
PCB oil will give my cancer.


> Al Shumate
> Dublin, VA

David Rieben