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Research on PCBs in Caulk
Overview
Caulk containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was used in some buildings, including schools, in the 1950s through the 1970s. EPA is taking action to respond to this potential problem in multiple ways. To aid schools in the near term, EPA is providing schools with information to determine if they have PCBs in caulk and tools to properly manage contaminated caulk to help minimize exposures. To better understand the problem, EPA plans to conduct research on PCB-contaminated caulk and other potential sources of PCBs in schools.
Research Goals
EPA research on PCBs in schools is designed to identify and evaluate potential sources of PCBs in order to better understand exposures to children, teachers, and other school workers, and to improve risk management decisions. EPA will investigate PCB-contaminated caulk, as well as other potential sources of PCBs in schools. Specifically, EPA's Office of Research and Development will:
- characterize potential sources of PCB exposures in schools (caulk, coatings, light ballasts, etc.)
- investigate the relationship of these sources to PCB concentrations in air, dust, and soil
- evaluate methods to reduce exposures to PCBs in caulk and other sources
Proposed Research
Sources of PCBs and the Relationship to PCB Concentrations in Air, Dust, and Soil
To understand the significance of PCB-contaminated caulk as a source of PCB exposures in school buildings, research is needed to better characterize the sources of PCBs in buildings and the potential exposures in schools. The following document outlines the research study plan by EPA's Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, to investigate the presence of PCBs in school buildings.
A Research Study to Investigate PCBs in School Buildings: Final Research Plan (PDF) (36 pp, 584K, About PDF)
Mitigation Methods to Reduce Exposures to PCBs in Caulk and Other Sources
EPA recognizes that when PCB-contaminated caulk is identified in buildings, resources are sometimes not available to immediately remove all of the caulk. Interim mitigation methods are sometimes needed to reduce human exposure to PCBs during the time before the caulk is removed. This document outlines the research study plan by EPA's Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, to evaluate PCB mitigation methods and PCB exposure sources in school buildings.
PCBs in Caulk: Evaluation of Mitigation Methods and Source Characterization: Final Draft Research Plan (PDF) (37 pp, 197K, About PDF)