The Washington Department of Ecology this month petitioned U.S. EPA to initiate rulemaking to protect public health against polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in consumer products. Washington wants to work with state and tribal governments to establish new, lower federal limits on allowable invertent PCBs in consumer goods.
Last year, the Department released guidance for managing building materials with PCBs to help promote best practices before and during demolition or renovation, when PCBs are more likely to be released into the environment. In addition, Ecology has a light ballast replacement program to help public and private schools (now including tribal schools) replace light ballasts that may contain PCBs.
For more information on Washington’s work to reduce PCBs in products, visit this program webpage.
