[Hallicrafters] Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB Oils - long)

[Bill]

I worked in GE's large transformer division for years (20+), with
men who worked up to their elbows in this stuff.  They all have normal
looking children and none of them came down with cancer that I know
of.

The most debilitating effect these men suffered was mild dermatitis.
This is because they didn't wear any protective gear.  I believe the cancer
scare came about through studies with rats or some other animal.  The
media got a hold of it and the rest is history.  Our people were not
eating the PCB's - at least not deliberately!  One of the other reasons
the stuff was banned is because it does not degrade apparently at all
over time.  That means if you spill some of this stuff, it will basically
remain intact as PCB forever.

As for myself, I could not touch the oil because of skin sensitivity to it.
I would say it is "Some shade of Grey" with current information.

Regards,
Bill K2WH

-----Original Message-----
From: hallicrafters-admin at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:hallicrafters-admin at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of k0dan
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2003 9:48 AM
To: Bill; hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB Oils - long)


Is it urban legend, or truth (or some shade of grey) that PCB's (and
especially dioxin) are considered extreme carcinogens and liver stress...if
ingested, inhaled, absorbed through the skin, even in low doses?



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill" <k2wh at optonline.net>
To: "Roy Morgan" <roy.morgan at nist.gov>; <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 08:59
Subject: RE: [Hallicrafters] Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB Oils - long)


> Some people get a reddening of the skin when handling PCB
> oil.  Wear rubber gloves.  Burning PCB oil is a no-no as I
> understand, (it's been a while), creates Dioxin.  A very
> bad substance.  If I found I had PCB oil in caps, I would
> carefully place them/it in a 5 gallon plastic container filled
> with an absorbent materials such as cat litter.  Seal the container,
> label it and get some advice as to proper disposal.
>
> Since you are the owner and generator of the PCB's, you will be
> responsible for proper disposal.  However, I believe small caps
> were considered non-regulated because of the very small amount
> of PCB's in them.  That is, they could be tossed in
> the regular garbage.  Don't quote that but I would check with a
> local disposal firm.  A disposal company called "Clean Harbors"
> could most likely give you good advice on this.
>
> K2WH
>

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