The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has important resources for school administrators and building maintenance and construction personnel about the need to properly maintain and dispose of fluorescent lighting that uses polychlorinated biphenyls (commonly referred to as PCBs). Many older lights and their ballasts contain PCBs that can leak as they age, resulting in elevated levels of airborne PCBs. Elevated PCB levels due to old lighting does not cause an immediate threat, but could result in health concerns if allowed to persist over time.

In the past two years, over one hundred and fifty incidents of PCB leaks in schools have been reported to the EPA from buildings in the New York and New Jersey area. When exposed to high levels of PCBs over time, a number of serious health effects including cancer, and negative effects on the immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems have been documented.

The EPA banned the use of PCBs in 1979, but fluorescent lights and their ballasts that were previously installed or purchased before the phase-out may contain PCBs and at this point in time are most likely leaking – exposing those who work or live near them to the harmful chemicals. It is strongly recommended that any PCB-containing lighting and their ballasts be safely removed from buildings to prevent environmental hazards.

In addition to removing a toxic hazard, updating lighting will result in an increase of energy efficiency by up to fifty percent over the old models. Schools and municipalities looking for information about energy savings and possible funding for removal of PCBs should visit the EPA’s Energy Star website.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: If you’re the facilities manager for a school, hospital, or older commercial or industrial building, make sure you’re aware of where old PCB lighting may be in your facility. In addition to keeping workers and students safe from toxins, you might be able to save on your energy bills when you upgrade to new, PCB-free models!